(a) On written request of a law enforcement agency in this state or a federal law enforcement agency and pending the issuance of a subpoena or other court order described by Article 24A.001, an online service provider that provides service in this state shall take all steps necessary to preserve all records or other potential evidence in a criminal trial that is in the possession of the online service provider.
(b) Subject to Subsection (c), an online service provider shall preserve information under Subsection (a) for a period of 90 days after the date the online service provider receives the written request described by Subsection (a).

Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 24A.051

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) An online service provider shall preserve information under Subsection (a) for the 90-day period immediately following the 90-day period described by Subsection (b) if the requesting law enforcement agency in writing requests an extension of the preservation period.

  Previous section
Next section  
 Subchapter B Contents