When most people hear the phrase ‘Computer Crime’ in Fort Collins, they think of computer hacking – illegally getting into someone else’s computer system to take something. But, in true Colorado legislature fashion, the legal definition of Computer Crime includes so much more than just that. It is an extremely broad law that can even punish people for using computers they were legally authorized to use. How can this be? Let’s take a closer look at the Computer Crime statute to find out.
Larimer County Computer Crime Lawyer: What is the Definition of Computer Crime?
The Colorado law definition of Computer Crime – C.R.S. 18-5.5-102 – is:
(a) Accesses a computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof without authorization; exceeds authorized access to a computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof; or uses a computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof without authorization or in excess of authorized access; or
(b) Accesses any computer, computer network, or computer system, or any part thereof for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud; or
(c) Accesses any computer, computer network, or computer system, or any part thereof to obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, money; property; services; passwords or similar information through which a computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof may be accessed; or other thing of value; or
(d) Accesses any computer, computer network, or computer system, or any part thereof to commit theft; or
(e) Without authorization or in excess of authorized access alters, damages, interrupts, or causes the interruption or impairment of the proper functioning of, or causes any damage to, any computer, computer network, computer system, computer software, program, application, documentation, or data contained in such computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof; or
(f) Causes the transmission of a computer program, software, information, code, data, or command by means of a computer, computer network, or computer system or any part thereof with the intent to cause damage to or to cause the interruption or impairment of the proper functioning of or that actually causes damage to or the interruption or impairment of the proper functioning of any computer, computer network, computer system, or part thereof; or
(g) Uses or causes to be used a software application that runs automated tasks over the internet to access a computer, computer network, or computer system, or any part thereof, that circumvents or disables any electronic queues, waiting periods, or other technological measure intended by the seller to limit the number of event tickets that may be purchased by any single person in an online event ticket sale as defined in section 6-1-720, C.R.S.
As you can see, you can get charged with Computer Crime in Larimer, Boulder or Grand County for a lot more than just hacking. An important term in this definition is ‘computer.’ What does the law define ‘computer’ as?
Under this definition, almost anything that processes data is included as a computer, including tablets and cell phones. With the prevalence of cell phones, this definition is creating a ton of criminal activity as men and women check the phones of their significant others.
Fort Collins Computer Crime Lawyer: What Are Some Examples of Computer Crimes?
Let’s say a man is suspicious that his girlfriend is cheating on him. When she leaves the room, he grabs her phone and starts looking through her social media and texts to verify his concerns. The girlfriend finds him while he is snooping and a fight ensues. The police are called and the man is charged with Computer Crime as an act of Domestic Violence for gaining unauthorized access to his girlfriend’s phone. Simple as that. You don’t even have to do anything maniacal with the information you found to get this charge. In fact, you don’t have to do anything at all. Simply accessing someone else’s computer, tablet, or phone without their permission can land you with these charges in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park.