What states are police scanners illegal?

Yes, police scanners are legal to own and operate in the US. Airwaves in the U.S. are public property and information sent over them does not presume privacy which was established in the 1934 Communications Act. read more

Other states like California, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia allow mobile scanners, but make it illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Some states simply have no rules regarding the use of police scanners. read more

Some states that have enacted laws in the past that specifically addressed the use of a police scanner in the commission of a crime include California, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. read more