Computer Crime Law
Future Offerings
Computer Crime Law (2034): In recent decades, digital crimes and digital evidence have become central to criminal law and criminal investigations. This course covers the legal issues raised by this change. It addresses two questions. First, what kinds of acts involving computers are (and should be) a crime? And second, what is the law governing the collection of digital evidence? Topics include the computer hacking laws under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; the law of Internet threats, deepfakes, and CSAM; limits on digital evidence collection under the Fourth Amendment and Fifth Amendment; and statutory privacy laws such as the Wiretap Act and the Stored Communications Act. No technical background is assumed. Elements used in grading: Exam, and in rare cases, adjustments for exceptional class participation.
Sections
Past Offerings
Computer Crime Law (2034): Modern criminal investigations and prosecutions often involve digital crimes and digital evidence. This course covers the legal issues they raise. It addresses three questions. First, what is the law of substantive computer crime, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act? Second, what is the law governing the collection of digital evidence under the Fourth Amendment and the Stored Communications Act? Third, what are the jurisdictional limits of computer crime investigations and prosecutions, both in terms of federal vs. state powers and the role of the United States in the world? No technical background is assumed. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, exam.
Sections
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2025-2026 AutumnSchedule No Longer Available