The Law in NSW: Recording Conversations
Surveillance warrants
Police can apply for a surveillance warrant in order to lawfully record a person.
To apply for a warrant, a police officer has to have reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is about to commit an offence, or that an offence has been committed, or that an offence is likely to be committed.
There also has to be an investigation into the alleged offence, or be likely that an investigation will arise, and the police officer has to show that surveillance will be necessary in that investigation.
Whether or not a warrant will be granted depends on the judge or magistrate’s discretion.
Some of the factors which will be considered include the nature and severity of the alleged offence, the likely intrusion on the privacy of the person or persons being recorded, and whether there are alternative ways of obtaining the evidence that is needed.
They will also consider what value the evidence which is likely to be obtained will have to the case as a whole.
Once a surveillance warrant is granted, it will give very specific guidelines as to the type of device which is approved, and how it can be used.
If police breach those guidelines, any evidence obtained may be inadmissible in court.
The warrant will state rules like where the surveillance device is authorised to be used, by who, and for how long.
If you suspect that your conversations are being recorded or if you have recorded someone else’s conversation and aren’t sure whether or not you can use it in court, speak to an experienced criminal lawyer as soon as possible or refer the matter to police.