New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 250.25 — Tampering with private communications
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 250: Offenses Against the Right to Privacy, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 250.25
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
250.25 Tampering with private communications.
A person is guilty of tampering with private communications when:
1. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or
receiver, he opens or reads a sealed letter or other sealed private
communication; or
2. Knowing that a sealed letter or other sealed private communication
has been opened or read in violation of subdivision one of this section,
he divulges without the consent of the sender or receiver, the contents
of such letter or communication, in whole or in part, or a resume of any
portion of the contents thereof; or
3. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or
receiver, he obtains or attempts to obtain from an employee, officer or
representative of a telephone or telegraph corporation, by connivance,
deception, intimidation or in any other manner, information with respect
to the contents or nature thereof of a telephonic or telegraphic
communication; except that the provisions of this subdivision do not
apply to a law enforcement officer who obtains information from a
telephone or telegraph corporation pursuant to section 250.35; or
4. Knowing that he does not have the consent of the sender or
receiver, and being an employee, officer or representative of a
telephone or telegraph corporation, he knowingly divulges to another
person the contents or nature thereof of a telephonic or telegraphic
communication; except that the provisions of this subdivision do not
apply to such person when he acts pursuant to section 250.35.
Tampering with private communications is a class B misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of misdemeanor is tampering with private communications in New York?
Tampering with private communications is a Class B Misdemeanor in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 250.25.
Which New York statute covers tampering with private communications?
Tampering with private communications is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 250.25 (Tampering with private communications).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.