§ 2425 — Delay in giving notices

(a)Definitions. —When used in this section:

(1) “Adverse result” means:

a. Endangering the life or physical safety of an individual;

b. Flight from prosecution;

c. Destruction of or tampering with evidence;

d. Intimidation of potential witnesses; or

e. Otherwise seriously jeopardizing an investigation or unduly delaying a trial.

(2) “Supervisory official” means:

a. The Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent of the Delaware State Police;

b. The chief of police, deputy chief of police or equivalent official of a law-enforcement agency of any political subdivision of the state; or

c. The Attorney General of the State, Chief Deputy Attorney General, State Prosecutor, Chief Prosecutor of any County or a Deputy Attorney General.

(b)Delaying required notices. —An investigative or law-enforcement officer acting under § 2423 of this title may:

(1) If a court order is sought, include in the application a request for an order delaying the notification required under § 2424 of this title for a period not to exceed 90 days, which the court shall grant if the court determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the court order may have an adverse result; or

(2) If a subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or a grand jury or the Attorney General is obtained, delay the notification required under § 2424 of this title for a period not to exceed 90 days, upon the execution of a written certification to a court of competent jurisdiction by a supervisory official that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the subpoena may have an adverse result.

(c) The investigative or law-enforcement officer shall maintain a true copy of a certification executed under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(d) Extensions of a delay in notification may be granted by the court upon application or by certification by a supervisory official under the same procedures prescribed in subsection (b) of this section. An extension may not exceed 90 days.

(e) Upon expiration of the period of a delay of notification under subsection (b) or (d) of this section, the investigative or law-enforcement officer shall serve upon by hand or deliver by registered or first class mail to the customer or subscriber a copy of the process or request together with a notice that:

(1) States with reasonable specificity the nature of the law-enforcement inquiry; and

(2) Informs the customer or subscriber:

a. That information maintained for the customer or subscriber by the service provider named in the process or request was supplied to or requested by that investigative or law-enforcement officer and the date on which the information was supplied or the request was made;

b. That notification of the customer or subscriber was delayed;

c. Of the identity of the investigative or law-enforcement officer or court that made the certification or determination authorizing the delay; and

d. Of the statutory authority for the delay.

(f)Notices not required or previously delayed. —If notice to the subscriber is not required under § 2423(b)(1) of this title or if notice is delayed under subsection (b) or (d) of this section, an investigative or law-enforcement officer acting under § 2423 of this title may apply to a court for an order requiring a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service to whom a warrant, subpoena or court order is directed, for such period as the court deems appropriate, not to notify any other person of the existence of the warrant, subpoena or court order. The court shall enter an order under this subsection if the court determines that there is reason to believe that notification of the existence of the warrant, subpoena or court order will have an adverse result.