§ 16-11-64.3 - Emergency situation; application for an investigation warrant
O.C.G.A. 16-11-64.3 (2010)
16-11-64.3. Emergency situation; application for an investigation warrant
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, in the event that the Attorney General or a district attorney of the judicial circuit having jurisdiction over the emergency situation described herein or where the observation, monitoring, or recording of the activities of any person may occur as provided in this subsection determines that:
(1) An emergency situation exists involving the immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person;
(2) The said emergency situation requires the immediate interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communications or the immediate observation, monitoring, or recording of the activities of any person involved in said emergency situation in violation of the provisions of Code Section 16-11-62 before an order authorizing such interception or surveillance can, with due diligence, be obtained; and
(3) There are grounds upon which an investigation warrant pursuant to Code Section 16-11-64 could be issued,
then any investigative or law enforcement officer specifically designated by the prosecuting official making such determination may utilize any device as defined in Code Section 16-11-60 to intercept the wire, oral, or electronic communications or to observe, monitor, or record the activities of the person or persons involved in said emergency situation, provided that an application for an investigation warrant is made pursuant to Code Section 16-11-64 within 48 hours after said interception or surveillance commences.
(b) In the event that an application for an investigation warrant made pursuant to this Code section is granted, then the interception or surveillance shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 16-11-64, except that said interception or surveillance shall continue only so long as the emergency situation exists.
(c) In the event that an application for an investigation warrant made pursuant to this Code section is denied or in any event where the interception or surveillance is terminated without an investigation warrant having been issued, the contents of any intercepted communications or other surveillance effected pursuant to this Code section shall not be admissible in any court of this state except to prove violations of this part. The contents of any such intercepted communications or other surveillance effected pursuant to this Code section without an investigation warrant having been issued shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except to prove violations of this part.