As technology improves, the types of crimes possible involving computers are extensive. Facing computer crime charges in Georgia varies in the type of punishment you may be subject to.
Georgia developed the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, which defines some of the most common crimes, including the following:
- Password disclosure: Giving away or selling passwords or other means of computer access which can result in damages exceeding $500
- Forgery: Altering, creating or deleting data on a computer or network
- Theft: Using a computer with the intention of stealing data or proprietary information, or converting property to use in violation of a legal obligation
- Trespass: Using or interfering with a computer or data, or causing malfunction of a computer or network
- Invasion of privacy: Examining information such as medical, credit, employment or other personal or business financial data without permission
Penalties
Georgia law states that anyone who claims to be a victim of one of these crimes may sue the person allegedly responsible to recover their damages, both for loss of profits and other expenses incurred.
Crimes of forgery, theft, trespass, and invasion of privacy can result in fines of $50,000 or less, imprisonment of up to 15 years, or both. Password disclosure results in a fine of $5,000 or less, jail time of less than one year, or both.
Civil action must occur within four years of the victim discovering the crime. The courts consider a crime that the guilty party commits continuously as a single crime.
Investigation and representation
If the court determines that you have committed a crime after an investigation, the Attorney General or other district attorney has the power to call anyone to testify under oath and issue a subpoena for witness attendance or to produce records or other articles of proof. You have the right to representation by an experienced lawyer.