Computer Tampering

If you tamper with a computer system and intentionally make code or other changes to cause damage, you can face federal and/or Pennsylvania charges.

Agencies, like the FBI, relentlessly track computer crimes such as tampering with federal computer systems. Federal law enforcement has created new technology and investigative techniques to find and prosecute those violating federal cyber offenses.

If you are indicted on federal computer crime charges, a determined federal prosecutor will work hard to build a strong case against you. You can face being sent to a federal prison for years. You will need a strong and knowledgeable defense.

What Computer Tampering Means

You can be arrested for computer tampering if you use unauthorized access, or you exceed your system authorization, to modify computer programs or the way a network operates, and cause damage.

Federal Computer Tampering

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), passed by Congress in 1986 and amended many times since, is the basic law used by federal prosecutors to prosecute computer crimes. This law was enacted to curtail computer crime, and legislators have tried to keep up with evolving criminal activities.

CFAA makes it a federal crime to intentionally and destructively tamper with the following computer systems:

• Federal computers
• Bank computers
• Computers used for interstate and/or foreign commerce

The key to the severity of your punishment for CFAA violations centers on whether you illegally entered the system with the intent to cause harm or destruction or commit fraud.

How A Lawyer Will Help

When you are up against a federal computer crime charge, you will be facing inflexible laws and a determined US prosecutor. You will need an attorney who can help you determine all of your options and achieve the best outcome for your circumstances.

United States Code

Read more about federal criminal offenses in the United States Code.