| Computer hacking is defined as any act of accessing | | | | charged with a second degree felony. Past computer |
| a computer or computer network without the owner's | | | | hacking offenses have included attempts to steal |
| permission. In some cases, hacking requires breaching | | | | credit card information, social security numbers, or |
| firewalls or password protections to gain access. In | | | | sensitive company or government information. |
| other cases, an individual may hack into a computer | | | | Penalties for Hacking |
| that has few or no defenses. Even if there are no | | | | Computer hacking is considered a major threat to |
| defenses to "break" through, simply gaining access to | | | | company integrity, government confidentiality, and |
| a computer and its information qualifies as criminal | | | | personal security. It is therefore prosecuted |
| computer hacking. | | | | aggressively in a court of law. Under Florida law, a third |
| The Intent to Hack | | | | degree felony for hacking can result in a maximum 5 |
| To be convicted of computer hacking, it must be | | | | year prison sentence and up to $5,000 in fines. For a |
| proven that the defendant knowingly gained access to | | | | hacking offense that involves theft or fraudulent |
| a computer with the intent of breaching without | | | | activity, the defendant could be penalized with up to 15 |
| permission. Sometimes individuals, particularly young | | | | years in prison and a $10,000 fine. |
| computer-savvy teenagers, break in to a computer or | | | | Beyond the immediate court ordered penalties, a |
| network just to prove that they can. They may brag | | | | hacking offense can destroy an individual's personal |
| about their accomplishment afterward, using the stunt | | | | and professional reputation. He or she may experience |
| to flaunt their computer abilities. Even though there | | | | trouble applying to colleges, obtaining scholarships, |
| may not have been an intent to steal or defraud from | | | | finding a job, or obtaining a loan. Even many years |
| the hacked system, the defendant can still be criminally | | | | after your conviction, you could still be negatively |
| charged. | | | | affected by your felony computer hacking charge. |
| Criminal Charges | | | | For More Information |
| When an individual is arrested in Florida for hacking, he | | | | If you have been arrested for computer hacking, |
| or she will be charged with a felony. If the defendant | | | | consider contacting a criminal defense attorney to |
| accessed a computer system without authorization | | | | defend your case. To learn more about computer |
| but did not intend to steal or defraud, he or she will be | | | | hacking charges and preparing a defense for court, |
| charged with a third degree felony. If, however, the | | | | please visit the website of the experienced West |
| hacker broke into the system and planned to defraud | | | | Palm Beach criminal lawyers of Eric N. Klein & |
| the owner of money or information, he or she will be | | | | Associates, P.A. today. |