It is legal in most parts of the U.S.A. to use a police scanner as long as you comply with all government rules and regulations. Using a police scanner to intentionally intercept any form of private communications including but not limited to telephone conversations is illegal. Arriving at a scene of an accident or crime is illegal. Disclosing information you heard using your police scanner may be considered an illegal activity. Also using a police scanner while in your car may be illegal. Using you scanner and some type of device that decodes "MDT" or "Private" transmissions is seriously and absolutely illegal. Do not attempt it. This is to give you a general idea of the rules and regulations governing scanner usage it is not a full list of rules nor regulations..
Check with your local government for regulations that may specifically apply only in your area. Also these laws governing scanner usage tend to change on a regular basis so check, respectively, with a government agency/official for all current rules and regulations.
Also please note by using, or printing, or viewing this website (Scanner Way) you agree that you will not hold nor attempt to hold Scanner Way responsible for anything you do with this information. Also, you will not hold Scanner Way responsible for the accuracy of this information nor will you hold Scanner Way responsible for what may result in its use.