Summary of changes

R.C.M. 703A — Warrant or order for wire or electronic communications

The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole R.C.M. in one view.

0 amended 0 added 0 removed 32 unchanged
No changes recorded for this R.C.M. — its text is the same as the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition.
Showing every provision.
Changed only
Provisions
703A(a) unchanged
Original text
In general.
A military judge detailed in accordance with Article 26 or Article 30a, may, upon written application by a federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government in connection with an ongoing investigation of an offense or offenses under the UCMJ, issue one or more of the following:
Current text
In general.
A military judge detailed in accordance with Article 26 or Article 30a, may, upon written application by a federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government in connection with an ongoing investigation of an offense or offenses under the UCMJ, issue one or more of the following:
703A(a)(1) unchanged
Original text
A warrant for the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service of the contents of any wire or electronic communication.
Current text
A warrant for the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service of the contents of any wire or electronic communication.
703A(a)(2) unchanged
Original text
A warrant for the disclosure by a provider of remote computing service of the contents of any wire or electronic communication that is held or maintained on that service—
Current text
A warrant for the disclosure by a provider of remote computing service of the contents of any wire or electronic communication that is held or maintained on that service—
703A(a)(2)(A) unchanged
Original text
on behalf of, and received by means of electronic transmission from (or created by means of computer processing of communications received by means of electronic transmission from), a subscriber or customer of such remote computing service; and
Current text
on behalf of, and received by means of electronic transmission from (or created by means of computer processing of communications received by means of electronic transmission from), a subscriber or customer of such remote computing service; and
703A(a)(2)(B) unchanged
Original text
solely for the purpose of providing storage or computer processing services to such subscriber or customer, if the provider is not authorized to access the contents of any such communications for purposes of providing any services other than storage or computer processing.
Current text
solely for the purpose of providing storage or computer processing services to such subscriber or customer, if the provider is not authorized to access the contents of any such communications for purposes of providing any services other than storage or computer processing.
703A(a)(3) unchanged
Original text
A warrant or order for the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service of a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of communications).
Current text
A warrant or order for the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service of a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of communications).
703A(a)(3)|D unchanged
Original text
See Article 46(d)(3) and 18 U.S.C. § 2703 concerning the authority for, and U.S. district court procedures concerning, warrants and court orders for electronically stored information.
Current text
See Article 46(d)(3) and 18 U.S.C. § 2703 concerning the authority for, and U.S. district court procedures concerning, warrants and court orders for electronically stored information.
703A(b) unchanged
Original text
Warrant procedures.
Current text
Warrant procedures.
703A(b)(1) unchanged
Original text
Probable cause required.
A military judge shall issue a warrant authorizing the search for and seizure of information specified in subsection (a) of this rule if—
Current text
Probable cause required.
A military judge shall issue a warrant authorizing the search for and seizure of information specified in subsection (a) of this rule if—
703A(b)(1)(A) unchanged
Original text
The federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government applying for the warrant presents an affidavit or sworn testimony, subject to examination by the military judge, in support of the application; and
Current text
The federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government applying for the warrant presents an affidavit or sworn testimony, subject to examination by the military judge, in support of the application; and
703A(b)(1)(B) unchanged
Original text
Based on the affidavit or sworn testimony, the military judge determines that there is probable cause to believe that the information sought contains evidence of a crime.
Current text
Based on the affidavit or sworn testimony, the military judge determines that there is probable cause to believe that the information sought contains evidence of a crime.
703A(b)(2) unchanged
Original text
Issuing the warrant.
The military judge shall issue the warrant to the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government who applied for the warrant.
Current text
Issuing the warrant.
The military judge shall issue the warrant to the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government who applied for the warrant.
703A(b)(3) unchanged
Original text
Contents of the warrant.
The warrant shall identify the property to be searched, identify any property or other information to be seized, and designate the military judge to whom the warrant must be returned.
Current text
Contents of the warrant.
The warrant shall identify the property to be searched, identify any property or other information to be seized, and designate the military judge to whom the warrant must be returned.
703A(b)(4) unchanged
Original text
Executing the warrant.
The presence of the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government identified in the warrant shall not be required for service or execution of a search warrant issued in accordance with this rule requiring disclosure by a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service of the contents of communications or records or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service.
Current text
Executing the warrant.
The presence of the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government identified in the warrant shall not be required for service or execution of a search warrant issued in accordance with this rule requiring disclosure by a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service of the contents of communications or records or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service.
703A(b)(5) unchanged
Original text
Quashing or modifying the warrant.
A military judge issuing a warrant under subsection (a), on a motion made promptly by the service provider, may quash or modify such warrant, if the warrant is determined to be unreasonable or oppressive or prohibited by law.
Current text
Quashing or modifying the warrant.
A military judge issuing a warrant under subsection (a), on a motion made promptly by the service provider, may quash or modify such warrant, if the warrant is determined to be unreasonable or oppressive or prohibited by law.
703A(c) unchanged
Original text
Order procedures.
Current text
Order procedures.
703A(c)(1) unchanged
Original text
A military judge shall issue an order authorizing the disclosure of information specified in paragraph (a) (3) of this rule if the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government applying for the order offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the records or other information sought are relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Current text
A military judge shall issue an order authorizing the disclosure of information specified in paragraph (a) (3) of this rule if the federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government applying for the order offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the records or other information sought are relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation.
703A(c)(2) unchanged
Original text
Quashing or modifying order.
A military judge issuing an order under paragraph (c)(1) of this rule, on a motion made promptly by the service provider, may quash or modify such order, if the order is determined to be unreasonable, oppressive, or prohibited by law.
Current text
Quashing or modifying order.
A military judge issuing an order under paragraph (c)(1) of this rule, on a motion made promptly by the service provider, may quash or modify such order, if the order is determined to be unreasonable, oppressive, or prohibited by law.
703A(c)(2)|D unchanged
Original text
An order may be unreasonable or oppressive if the information or records requested are unusually voluminous in nature or compliance with such order otherwise would cause an undue burden on a provider.
Current text
An order may be unreasonable or oppressive if the information or records requested are unusually voluminous in nature or compliance with such order otherwise would cause an undue burden on a provider.
703A(d) unchanged
Original text
Non-disclosure orders.
Current text
Non-disclosure orders.
703A(d)(1) unchanged
Original text
A federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government acting under this rule may apply to a military judge for an order commanding a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service to whom a warrant or order under this rule is directed, for such period as the military judge deems appropriate, not to notify any other person of the existence of the warrant or order. The military judge shall issue the order if the military judge determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant or order will result in an adverse result described in paragraph (d)(2) of this rule.
Current text
A federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government acting under this rule may apply to a military judge for an order commanding a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service to whom a warrant or order under this rule is directed, for such period as the military judge deems appropriate, not to notify any other person of the existence of the warrant or order. The military judge shall issue the order if the military judge determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant or order will result in an adverse result described in paragraph (d)(2) of this rule.
703A(d)(2) unchanged
Original text
An adverse result for purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this rule is—
Current text
An adverse result for purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this rule is—
703A(d)(2)(A) unchanged
Original text
endangering the life or physical safety of an individual;
Current text
endangering the life or physical safety of an individual;
703A(d)(2)(B) unchanged
Original text
flight from prosecution;
Current text
flight from prosecution;
703A(d)(2)(C) unchanged
Original text
destruction of or tampering with evidence;
Current text
destruction of or tampering with evidence;
703A(d)(2)(D) unchanged
Original text
intimidation of potential witnesses; or
Current text
intimidation of potential witnesses; or
703A(d)(2)(E) unchanged
Original text
otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or unduly delaying a trial.
Current text
otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or unduly delaying a trial.
703A(e) unchanged
Original text
No cause of action against a provider disclosing information under this rule.
As provided under 18 U.S.C. § 2703(e), no cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a warrant or order under this rule.
Current text
No cause of action against a provider disclosing information under this rule.
As provided under 18 U.S.C. § 2703(e), no cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a warrant or order under this rule.
703A(f) unchanged
Original text
Requirement to preserve evidence.
To the same extent as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 2703(f)—
Current text
Requirement to preserve evidence.
To the same extent as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 2703(f)—
703A(f)(1) unchanged
Original text
A provider of wire or electronic communication services or a remote computing service, upon the request of a federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government, shall take all necessary steps to preserve records and other evidence in its possession pending the issuance of an order or other process; and
Current text
A provider of wire or electronic communication services or a remote computing service, upon the request of a federal law enforcement officer, trial counsel, or other authorized counsel for the Government, shall take all necessary steps to preserve records and other evidence in its possession pending the issuance of an order or other process; and
703A(f)(2) unchanged
Original text
Shall retain such records and other evidence for a period of 90 days, which shall be extended for an additional 90-day period upon a renewed request by the governmental entity.
Current text
Shall retain such records and other evidence for a period of 90 days, which shall be extended for an additional 90-day period upon a renewed request by the governmental entity.
703A(g) unchanged
Original text
Definition.
As used in this rule, the term “federal law enforcement officer” includes an employee of the Army Criminal Investigation Command, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, or the Coast Guard Investigative Service who has authority to request a search warrant.
Current text
Definition.
As used in this rule, the term “federal law enforcement officer” includes an employee of the Army Criminal Investigation Command, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, or the Coast Guard Investigative Service who has authority to request a search warrant.

“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.