Technology never stops changing, and laws need to keep up. In the days of the Constitution, no one could have predicted how computers and the Internet would change our lives, but fast forward to the present day, and there are extensive rules, laws, and guidelines for behaving on the internet that never existed even just twenty years ago. Among these laws are hacking laws.

The federal laws that surround computer crimes, such as doxing, hacking, computer fraud, and more, are all relatively new. For this reason, it can be challenging to find legal counsel who can confidently defend someone accused of these crimes. However, at the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, our legal team is well-versed in these laws and the associated penalties. Hacking is a crime in New York, and Gianni Karmily is uniquely qualified to defend anyone accused of this change. Read on to learn more about cybersecurity, hacking laws, and how the right Nassau County, Long Island criminal defense lawyer can help.`

How Is Hacking Defined In New York?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a hacker is defined as: “A person who illegally gains access to and sometimes tampers with information in a computer system.” Since computers contain private, sensitive, and often protected information, hacking into a computer is a breach of privacy and security, and can lead to criminal charges. 

There are a handful of Federal laws that apply to and govern computer crimes.

  • The Stored Communications Act (SCA)
  • The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
  • The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)
  • The Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA)

New York state also has its own specific definitions for computer crimes. Among these crimes are: computer trespassing, computer tampering (in the first, second, third, and fourth degrees) unlawful duplication of computer-related material (in the first or second degree), criminal possession of computer-related material, operating an unlawful computer sweepstakes, and more.

What Are The Penalties For Computer Related Crimes In New York?

In some cases, you can be sent to prison for violating a computer-related law in New York. As to be expected, the severity of the violation and the way in which the crime was committed will all dictate what punishment will be given. The information you stole during the hacking process, and the way in which you committed the hacking crime, will all influence the type of penalty that you receive. For example, if you broke into someone’s house in order to hack their computer, you will see a much more serious penalty than someone who did so remotely or without breaking into the home.

In some cases, you may be faced with a large monetary fine for being in violation of New York’s hacking laws. For example, trafficking passwords and using them to access sensitive information can accompany a large fine or a prison sentence. The fine may be five thousand dollars or more, and the prison sentence could be as long as ten years. 

Penalties can be even more severe depending on the computer you hacked and why you did it. For example, hacking a government security system, whether local, state, or Federal, can potentially carry a prison sentence for as long as ten years, potentially even longer if fraud or national security laws were also breached in the process. 

Schedule A Free Consultation With The Law Firm Of Gianni Karmily Today If You Have Been Accused Of Hacking In New York State

There’s a lot on the line in every criminal case, especially those that involve breaches of security and accessing sensitive information. A New York State hacking conviction can and will negatively impact your life for the worse if you do not hire a strong criminal defense assistance right away. The best way to protect your future is to fight your charges with the help of Nassau County, Long Island criminal defense attorney Gianni Karmily. As soon as you have been accused of or arrested for a hacking crime in New York, pick up the phone and schedule a criminal case evaluation with our firm.

Not all Hempstead criminal defense lawyers are skilled in and knowledgeable of the laws that surround computer crimes in New York. But Gianni Karmily is well-versed in these new and emerging areas of New York State law, and will fight aggressively to ensure that your rights are protected and every effort is made to reduce your criminal charges or have them dismissed.

No matter what kind of hacking charge you’re faced with, every defendant needs an aggressive, proactive defense attorney. Schedule an in-depth legal consultation with Gianni Karmily as soon as you have been charged with any kind of criminal act.