Arkansas Legal Resource Navigator

18 U.S.C. § 3512 — Foreign requests for assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 3512 — Foreign requests for assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions

**(a) Execution of Request for Assistance.—** (1) **In general.—** — Upon application, duly authorized by an appropriate official of the Department of Justice, of an attorney for the Government, a Federal judge may issue such orders as may be necessary to execute a request from a foreign authority for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses, or in proceedings related to the prosecution of criminal offenses, including proceedings regarding forfeiture, sentencing, and restitution. (2) **Scope of orders.—** — Any order issued by a Federal judge pursuant to paragraph (1) may include the issuance of— (A) a search warrant, as provided under Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; (B) a warrant or order for contents of stored wire or electronic communications or for records related thereto, as provided under [section 2703 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section2703&num=0&edition=prelim); (C) an order for a pen register or trap and trace device as provided under [section 3123 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3123&num=0&edition=prelim); or (D) an order requiring the appearance of a person for the purpose of providing testimony or a statement, or requiring the production of documents or other things, or both. **(b) Appointment of Persons To Take Testimony or Statements.—** (1) **In general.—** — In response to an application for execution of a request from a foreign authority as described under subsection (a), a Federal judge may also issue an order appointing a person to direct the taking of testimony or statements or of the production of documents or other things, or both. (2) **Authority of appointed person.—** —

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 3512

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.

Original supplied file — preserved unchanged

Download original Markdown file

File SHA-256: 17d6804e90a17ff980a940f9b5e1c84cf853d7bad272bec511df8d65770d3610. The original may include catalog metadata, neighboring provisions, or embedded records outside this collection's scope. Search shows only the selected federal record. Historical editions and unverified snapshots are not a statement of current law.

Authority boundary: historical or unconfirmed source not current law verified.

Open the recorded source website ↗

Record provenance

Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_9976e4997b63c429c6d118e8
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-18/section-3512-foreign-requests-for-assistance-in-criminal-investigations-and-prosecuti--5db0f024e0.md
Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded
Passage SHA-256: 01cb2e5cb8dde1d47f93b92c699aec56167ad870d13a4aa47380b6940e92eb2c

Source location: Title 18, Chapter 223, § 3512; chapter-223-witnesses-and-evidence.md

Stored source content

**(a) Execution of Request for Assistance.—** (1) **In general.—** — Upon application, duly authorized by an appropriate official of the Department of Justice, of an attorney for the Government, a Federal judge may issue such orders as may be necessary to execute a request from a foreign authority for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses, or in proceedings related to the prosecution of criminal offenses, including proceedings regarding forfeiture, sentencing, and restitution. (2) **Scope of orders.—** — Any order issued by a Federal judge pursuant to paragraph (1) may include the issuance of— (A) a search warrant, as provided under Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; (B) a warrant or order for contents of stored wire or electronic communications or for records related thereto, as provided under [section 2703 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section2703&num=0&edition=prelim); (C) an order for a pen register or trap and trace device as provided under [section 3123 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3123&num=0&edition=prelim); or (D) an order requiring the appearance of a person for the purpose of providing testimony or a statement, or requiring the production of documents or other things, or both. **(b) Appointment of Persons To Take Testimony or Statements.—** (1) **In general.—** — In response to an application for execution of a request from a foreign authority as described under subsection (a), a Federal judge may also issue an order appointing a person to direct the taking of testimony or statements or of the production of documents or other things, or both. (2) **Authority of appointed person.—** — Any person appointed under an order issued pursuant to paragraph (1) may— (A) issue orders requiring the appearance of a person, or the production of documents or other things, or both; (B) administer any necessary oath; and (C) take testimony or statements and receive documents or other things. **(c) Filing of Requests.—** Except as provided under subsection (d), an application for execution of a request from a foreign authority under this section may be filed— (1) in the district in which a person who may be required to appear resides or is located or in which the documents or things to be produced are located; (2) in cases in which the request seeks the appearance of persons or production of documents or things that may be located in multiple districts, in any one of the districts in which such a person, documents, or things may be located; or (3) in any case, the district in which a related Federal criminal investigation or prosecution is being conducted, or in the District of Columbia. **(d) Search Warrant Limitation.—** An application for execution of a request for a search warrant from a foreign authority under this section, other than an application for a warrant issued as provided under [section 2703 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section2703&num=0&edition=prelim), shall be filed in the district in which the place or person to be searched is located. **(e) Search Warrant Standard.—** A Federal judge may issue a search warrant under this section only if the foreign offense for which the evidence is sought involves conduct that, if committed in the United States, would be considered an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year under Federal or State law. **(f) Service of Order or Warrant.—** Except as provided under subsection (d), an order or warrant issued pursuant to this section may be served or executed in any place in the United States. **(g) Rule of Construction.—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any foreign authority or an interested person from obtaining assistance in a criminal investigation or prosecution pursuant to [section 1782 of title 28](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title28-section1782&num=0&edition=prelim), United States Code. **(h) Definitions.—** As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) **Federal judge.—** — The terms “Federal judge” and “attorney for the Government” have the meaning given such terms for the purposes of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (2) **Foreign authority.—** — The term “foreign authority” means a foreign judicial authority, a foreign authority responsible for the investigation or prosecution of criminal offenses or for proceedings related to the prosecution of criminal offenses, or an authority designated as a competent authority or central authority for the purpose of making requests for assistance pursuant to an agreement or treaty with the United States regarding assistance in criminal matters.

Cross-references

Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 2703 — Required disclosure of customer communications or records

**(a) Contents of Wire or Electronic Communications in Electronic Storage.—** A governmental entity may require the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service of the contents of a wire or electronic communication, that is in electronic storage in an electronic communications system for one hundred and eighty days or less, only pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures and, in the case of a court-martial or other proceeding under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), issued under section 846 of that title, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President) by a court of competent jurisdiction. A governmental entity may require the disclosure by a provider of electronic communications services of the contents of a wire or electronic communication that has been in electronic storage in an electronic communications system for more than one hundred and eighty days by the means available under subsection (b) of this section. **(b) Contents of Wire or Electronic Communications in a Remote Computing Service.—** (1) A governmental entity may require a provider of remote computing service to disclose the contents of any wire or electronic communication to which this paragraph is made applicable by paragraph (2) of this subsection— (A) without required notice to the subscriber or customer, if the governmental entity obtains a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures and, in the case of a court-martial or other proceeding under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Mili

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 2703

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 3123 — Issuance of an order for a pen register or a trap and trace device

**(a) In General.—** (1) **Attorney for the government.—** — Upon an application made under section 3122(a)(1), the court shall enter an ex parte order authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device anywhere within the United States, if the court finds that the attorney for the Government has certified to the court that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. The order, upon service of that order, shall apply to any person or entity providing wire or electronic communication service in the United States whose assistance may facilitate the execution of the order. Whenever such an order is served on any person or entity not specifically named in the order, upon request of such person or entity, the attorney for the Government or law enforcement or investigative officer that is serving the order shall provide written or electronic certification that the order applies to the person or entity being served. (2) **State investigative or law enforcement officer.—** — Upon an application made under section 3122(a)(2), the court shall enter an ex parte order authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device within the jurisdiction of the court, if the court finds that the State law enforcement or investigative officer has certified to the court that the information likely to be obtained by such installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. (3) (A) Where the law enforcement agency implementing an ex parte order under this subsection seeks to do so by installing and using its own pen register or trap and trace device on a packet-switched data network of a provider of electronic communication service to the public,

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 3123

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

28 U.S.C. § 1782 — Assistance to foreign and international tribunals and to litigants before such tribunals

**(a)** The district court of the district in which a person resides or is found may order him to give his testimony or statement or to produce a document or other thing for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal, including criminal investigations conducted before formal accusation. The order may be made pursuant to a letter rogatory issued, or request made, by a foreign or international tribunal or upon the application of any interested person and may direct that the testimony or statement be given, or the document or other thing be produced, before a person appointed by the court. By virtue of his appointment, the person appointed has power to administer any necessary oath and take the testimony or statement. The order may prescribe the practice and procedure, which may be in whole or part the practice and procedure of the foreign country or the international tribunal, for taking the testimony or statement or producing the document or other thing. To the extent that the order does not prescribe otherwise, the testimony or statement shall be taken, and the document or other thing produced, in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.A person may not be compelled to give his testimony or statement or to produce a document or other thing in violation of any legally applicable privilege. **(b)** This chapter does not preclude a person within the United States from voluntarily giving his testimony or statement, or producing a document or other thing, for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal before any person and in any manner acceptable to him.

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 28 U.S.C. § 1782

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 1 — Repealed. Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 218(a)(1), Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2027]

### Statutory Notes Section, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 684; Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–596, § 8, 98 Stat. 3138, classified offenses as a felony, misdemeanor, or petty offense. #### Effective Date of Repeal Repeal of section effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of such repeal, see section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as an Effective Date note under [section 3551 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3551&num=0&edition=prelim). #### Short Title of 2026 Amendment Pub. L. 119–73, § 1, Jan. 23, 2026, 139 Stat. 2003, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 28 and 3771A of this title, amending [section 7102 of Title 22](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title22-section7102&num=0&edition=prelim), Foreign Relations and Intercourse, and enacting provisions set out as notes under [section 28 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section28&num=0&edition=prelim) and [section 10110 of Title 34](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title34-section10110&num=0&edition=prelim), Crime Control and Law Enforcement] may be cited as the ‘Trafficking Survivors Relief Act’.” #### Short Title of 2024 Amendment Pub. L. 118–78, § 1, July 30, 2024, 138 Stat. 1512, provided that: “This Act [enacting [section 1352 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section1352&num=0&edition=prelim) and amending [section 201 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section201&num=0&edition=prelim)] may be cited as the ‘Foreign Extortion Prevention Technical Corrections Act’.” Pub. L. 118–77, § 1, July

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 1

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 1510 — Obstruction of criminal investigations

**(a)** Whoever willfully endeavors by means of bribery to obstruct, delay, or prevent the communication of information relating to a violation of any criminal statute of the United States by any person to a criminal investigator shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. **(b)** (1) Whoever, being an officer of a financial institution, with the intent to obstruct a judicial proceeding, directly or indirectly notifies any other person about the existence or contents of a subpoena for records of that financial institution, or information that has been furnished in response to that subpoena, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (2) Whoever, being an officer of a financial institution, directly or indirectly notifies— (A) a customer of that financial institution whose records are sought by a subpoena for records; or (B) any other person named in that subpoena; about the existence or contents of that subpoena or information that has been furnished in response to that subpoena, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. (3) As used in this subsection— (A) the term “an officer of a financial institution” means an officer, director, partner, employee, agent, or attorney of or for a financial institution; and (B) the term “subpoena for records” means a Federal grand jury subpoena, a subpoena issued under [section 3486 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3486&num=0&edition=prelim), or an order or subpoena issued in accordance with [section 3512 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3512&num=0&edition=prelim), [section 5318 of title 31](https

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 1510

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 2520 — Recovery of civil damages authorized

**(a) In General.—** Except as provided in section 2511(2)(a)(ii), any person whose wire, oral, or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or intentionally used in violation of this chapter may in a civil action recover from the person or entity, other than the United States, which engaged in that violation such relief as may be appropriate. **(b) Relief.—** In an action under this section, appropriate relief includes— (1) such preliminary and other equitable or declaratory relief as may be appropriate; (2) damages under subsection (c) and punitive damages in appropriate cases; and (3) a reasonable attorney’s fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. **(c) Computation of Damages.—** (1) In an action under this section, if the conduct in violation of this chapter is the private viewing of a private satellite video communication that is not scrambled or encrypted or if the communication is a radio communication that is transmitted on frequencies allocated under subpart D of part 74 of the rules of the Federal Communications Commission that is not scrambled or encrypted and the conduct is not for a tortious or illegal purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain, then the court shall assess damages as follows: (A) If the person who engaged in that conduct has not previously been enjoined under section 2511(5) and has not been found liable in a prior civil action under this section, the court shall assess the greater of the sum of actual damages suffered by the plaintiff, or statutory damages of not less than $50 and not more than $500. (B) If, on one prior occasion, the person who engaged in that conduct has been enjoined under section 2511(5) or has been found liable in a civil action under

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 2520

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 2711 — Definitions for chapter

As used in this chapter— (1) the terms defined in [section 2510 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section2510&num=0&edition=prelim) have, respectively, the definitions given such terms in that section; (2) the term “remote computing service” means the provision to the public of computer storage or processing services by means of an electronic communications system; (3) the term “court of competent jurisdiction” includes— (A) any district court of the United States (including a magistrate judge of such a court) or any United States court of appeals that— (i) has jurisdiction over the offense being investigated; (ii) is in or for a district in which the provider of a wire or electronic communication service is located or in which the wire or electronic communications, records, or other information are stored; or (iii) is acting on a request for foreign assistance pursuant to [section 3512 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3512&num=0&edition=prelim); (B) a court of general criminal jurisdiction of a State authorized by the law of that State to issue search warrants; or (C) a court-martial or other proceeding under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice) to which a military judge has been detailed; and (4) the term “governmental entity” means a department or agency of the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof.

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 2711

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 3127 — Definitions for chapter

As used in this chapter— (1) the terms “wire communication”, “electronic communication”, “electronic communication service”, and “contents” have the meanings set forth for such terms in [section 2510 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section2510&num=0&edition=prelim); (2) the term “court of competent jurisdiction” means— (A) any district court of the United States (including a magistrate judge of such a court) or any United States court of appeals that— (i) has jurisdiction over the offense being investigated; (ii) is in or for a district in which the provider of a wire or electronic communication service is located; (iii) is in or for a district in which a landlord, custodian, or other person subject to subsections (a) or (b) of [section 3124 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3124&num=0&edition=prelim) is located; or (iv) is acting on a request for foreign assistance pursuant to [section 3512 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3512&num=0&edition=prelim); or (B) a court of general criminal jurisdiction of a State authorized by the law of that State to enter orders authorizing the use of a pen register or a trap and trace device; (3) the term “pen register” means a device or process which records or decodes dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information transmitted by an instrument or facility from which a wire or electronic communication is transmitted, provided, however, that such information shall not include the contents of any communication, but such term does not include any device or process used by a provider or customer of a wire or electronic communication service

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 18 U.S.C. § 3127

Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Incoming connection: Explicit cross-reference supplied in source Markdown; currentness and applicability require review.

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 3512 — Foreign requests for assistance in crimi-

Page 785 TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 3512 carries on business, or may be found, to compel compliance with the request. The court may issue an order requiring the person or entity to comply with the request. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt thereof. Any process under this sec- tion may be served in any judicial district in which the person or entity may be found. (d) In all proceedings under this section, sub- ject to any right to an open hearing in a con- tempt proceeding, the court must close any hearing to the extent necessary to prevent an unauthorized disclosure of a request for records, a report, or other information made to any per- son or entity under section 2709(b) of this title, section 626(a) or (b) or 627(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, section 1114(a)(5)(A) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act, or section 802(a) of the National Security Act of 1947. Petitions, filings, records, orders, and subpoenas must also be kept under seal to the extent and as long as necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of a re- quest for records, a report, or other information made to any person or entity under section 2709(b) of this title, section 626(a) or (b) or 627(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, section 1114(a)(5)(A) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act, or section 802(a) of the National Security Act of 1947. (e) In all proceedings under this section, the court shall, upon request of the government, re- view ex parte and in camera any government submission or portions thereof, which may in- clude classified information. (Added Pub. L. 109–177, title I, § 115(2), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 211; amended Pub. L. 114–23, title V, § 502(g), June 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 288.)

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 18 U.S.C. § 3512

Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.