Computer Crime Law

3 credits · Law

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.