Taped Telephone – I have taped some very abusive and harassing telephone conversations with my husband’s ex-girlfriend, but am told that we cannot use these tapes in the court. Why?

I have taped some very abusive and harassing telephone conversations with my husband’s ex-girlfriend, but am told that we cannot use these tapes in the court. Why?

Surreptitious tape recordings by telephone are illegal in most States, under their respective Penal (or Criminal) Codes. You must have permission, in most States, from the party being recorded or, at the very least, give the other person notice that the call is being recorded. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland (where Ms. Tripp allegedly pressed her “record” button), Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington – require, under most circumstances, the consent of all parties to the conversation before taping is allowed.