Computer Crimes

Being charged with a Computer crime is extremely serious, as the potential sentences include lengthy terms of imprisonment as well as hefty fines.  Below you will find just a few of the many statutory violent crimes we handle at Masella Law Firm, P.A.  If you are under investigation for a Computer crime, if you have already been charged with a violent crime, or if you have already been convicted but believe your conviction or your sentence was wrong, then call 803-748-9990, toll free 877-728-3734, or email the attorneys at Masella Law Firm, P.A., right away.  One of our attorney’s will give you a brief but professional “first impression” analysis of your case and your options, which will allow you to take an important first step in defending the case against you.

The criminal law attorneys at Masella Law Firm, P.A. defend those accused of Federal Computer  crimes which are prosecuted by the Federal Government.  Below are some of the actions brought by the Government as well as the law pertaining to these actions and the District Court’s sentencing guidelines used in sentencing those convicted in Federal Court.

Persons charged with computer crimes by the federal government are generally charged under U.S.C. 18 Section 1030. Fraud and related activity in connection with computers.
Computer crime laws in many states prohibit a person from performing certain acts without authorization, including 1) accessing a computer, system, or network; 2) modifying, damaging, using, disclosing, copying, or taking programs or data; 3) introducing a virus or other contaminant into a computer system; 4) using a computer in a scheme to defraud; 5) interfering with someone else’s computer access or use; 6) using encryption in aid of a crime; 7) falsifying e-mail source information; and 8) stealing an information service from a provider.

Computer Crime Legal Resources

• "Prosecuting Computer Crimes" Manual
• Recent Legislation
• Federal Criminal Code Related to Computer Intrusions
• Sentencing Guidelines that Relate to Computer Intrusions
• Archived Computer Crime Legal Resources
• Guidance on New Authorities that Relate to Computer Crime and Electronic Evidence Enacted in the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (October 2001)
• Tracking a Computer Hacker, Daniel A. Morris, USA Bulletin (May 2001)
• It’s Not Just Fun and "War Games" – Juveniles and Computer Crime, Joseph V. DeMarco, USA Bulletin (May 2001)
• Working with Victims of Computer Network Hacks, Richard P. Salgado, USA Bulletin (March 2001)
• Supervised Release and Probation Restrictions in Hacker Cases, Christopher M.E. Painter, USA Bulletin (March 2001)

"Prosecuting Computer Crimes" Manual
First published February, 2007.

• "Prosecuting Computer Crimes" Manual

Recent Legislation

• Prosecutorial Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act (PROTECT Act)
• Amendments and Redline Showing Changes to 18 U.S.C. § 2702 Regarding Disclosures to the National Center for Missing and Exploitation of Children
• Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Amendments)
• Text of Section 225 (also known as the Cyber Security Enhancement Act of 2002)
• Amendments and Redline Showing Changes Resulting from Section 225 and 896 of the 2002 Homeland Security Act
• USA Patriot Act
• Dispelling the Myths about the USA PATRIOT Act
• Text of the USA PATRIOT Act (via Thomas)
• Field Guidance on New Authorities that Relate to Computer Crime and Electronic Evidence Enacted in the USA Patriot Act of 2001
• Redline Version of USA PATRIOT Act

Federal Criminal Code Related to Computer Intrusions

• 18 U.S.C. § 1029.  Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Access Devices
• 18 U.S.C. § 1030.  Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers
• 18 U.S.C. § 1362.  Communication Lines, Stations, or Systems
• 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq.  Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications
• 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.  Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access
• 18 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq. Recording of Dialing, Routing, Addressing, and Signaling Information

Sentencing Guidelines that Relate to Computer Intrusions

• U.S. Sentencing Guidelines that Relate to Computer Intrusions
• U.S. Sentencing Commission's Proposed Amendments to the Guidelines that Relate to Computer Intrusions (Effective November 1, 2003)