{"id":373634,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-computer-crimes-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:49:10","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:49:10","slug":"louisiana-computer-crimes-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-computer-crimes-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Computer Crimes Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Computer Crimes Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Online threats are everywhere these days. The Director of the FBI says cybercrime is the biggest threat facing every single American today. From hackers to identity theft, and spam to viruses, we\u2019re still learning how criminals can use computers to hurt us.<\/p>\n

We also need to keep ourselves safe. Can you get in trouble for sexting? Is it safe to use your smart phone to transfer money? Louisiana has statutes in place intended to protect us from online theft or fraud. This is a brief summary of computer crimes laws in Louisiana.<\/p>\n

Computer Crimes<\/h2>\n

Most people are familiar with the term "hacking." But there are various types of criminal activities that fall under the umbrella of "computer crimes<\/a>" in Louisiana. Many state laws<\/a> identify and prohibit a number of offenses collectively called "computer crimes," which can include a variety of topics such as hacking into a secure network, damaging a computer system, or even large-scale spam operations. Louisiana computer crime laws require the act to be intentional.<\/p>\n

Computer Crime Laws in Louisiana<\/h2>\n

The highlights of Louisiana\u2019s computer crime laws are listed below.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/td>\n14:73.1, et seq. Note: Section does not specifically classify crimes listed as either felony or misdemeanor. Offenses listed in misdemeanor or felony columns are based on the levels of punishments imposed rather than by explicit classification.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Mental State Required for Prosecution<\/td>\nIntentionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Misdemeanor Computer Crimes<\/td>\nAlter, damage or destroy hard\/software valued under $500; interfere with use of another valued under $500<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Felony Computer Crimes<\/td>\nAlter, damage or destroy hard\/software valued over $500; interfere with use of another valued over $500; computer fraud<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Attempt Considered a Crime?<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Civil Lawsuit Permitted?<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n
\nComputer crimes can commonly be referred to as \u201ccyber\u201d crimes, and include:<\/div>\n