Wand Law
This page discusses laws governing wands. For the magical laws about how wands work, see Wand Lore.
The legalities concerning the use of wands is outlined in the Code of Wand Use of 1631. Among other things, it provides that no non-human creature is permitted to use or carry a wand.
Wands as Evidence
By using the Priori Incantatum spell, a wand's recently cast spells can be revealed. This is a commonly used investigation tool by Ministry of Magic offices, and the results can be submitted into evidence before the Wizengamot. While the recent spells cast can be reliably determined, the wix wielding the wand at that time is not.
Aurors and Auror Trainees are authorized to search a wand with sufficient suspicion.
"That's too bad -" Raine muttered as she got up and approached the mantel herself, "- because you're legally obliged to, as a person of interest in this investigation. And I have authorisation to do this, by the way, even if I'm not a real auror, as you so nicely put it."
Casting priori incanto was one of the few things auror trainees were permitted to do even if their subjects didn't consent, mostly because of the time factor. If someone refused, they might tamper with their wand in the time it took a fully fledged auror to come down. Worse, they might break or claim to have lost it. -- Raine Almasy [1]
This is informally referred to as 'dumping' a wand.
Private investigators may also use this at the wand-owner's request.
Wand Polishing
A dubiously legal practice is known as 'wand polishing'. The wand is manipulated to conceal previously cast spells. In certain cases, this itself could be considered a crime: tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice, etc. Romulus Wilde engages in this practice, hiring someone to do this for him. [2]
Criminal Wand Bans
A possible punishment for certain crimes is a personal wand ban, known as a Statute 70. The ban can be temporary or permanent. It is frequently levied against anyone who has been sentenced to Azkaban Prison, particularly when the crime is related to using magic.
