California · Penal Code

PEN §629.86: Any person whose wire or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this chapter shall have the following remedies: (a) Have a civil cause of action against any person

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute creates a civil lawsuit right for people whose wire or electronic communications are illegally intercepted, disclosed, or used. Victims may recover actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.

Read the full statutory text

Any person whose wire or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this chapter shall have the following remedies: (a) Have a civil cause of action against any person who intercepts, discloses, or uses, or procures any other person to intercept, disclose, or use, the communications. (b) Be entitled to recover, in that action, all of the following: (1) Actual damages but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) a day for each day of violation or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is greater. (2) Punitive damages. (3) Reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. A good faith reliance on a court order is a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought under this chapter, or under Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 630) or any other law.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.