{"id":373717,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-computer-crimes-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:51:26","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:51:26","slug":"maine-computer-crimes-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-computer-crimes-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Computer Crimes Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Maine Computer Crimes Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

Every day, people in Maine use their computers to access various networks and programs. Many people have online banking, social networking, photo sharing, and other \u201ccloud\u201d computing apps and programs they use daily. With all the technology we use today, computer crimes<\/a> have become an increasing concern of states.<\/p>\n

Many states, including Maine, have adopted laws that create computer and Internet-based crimes and accompanying punishments. For example, a state may have a specific law addressing online scams<\/a> or the increasingly common cyberbullying<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Computer Crimes in Maine<\/h2>\n

The following table briefly explains Maine\u2019s computer crime laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/b><\/td>\nMaine Code Revised Title 17-A, Chapter 18: Computer Crimes<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>
What is Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\nMaine prohibits computer crimes under the name \u201ccriminal invasion of computer privacy<\/a>.\u201d This offense is intentionally accessing any computer resource that the person isn\u2019t authorized to access or use.
\n
\nAggravated Criminal Invasion of Computer Privacy is when a person intentionally or knowing does any of the following<\/a>:
    \n
  • Copies a computer program or software without authorization<\/li>\n
  • Damages anyone else\u2019s computer program, software, system, network, or data<\/li>\n
  • Introduces a computer virus to someone\u2019s else computer or network<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Penalty<\/b><\/td>\nAccessing a computer without authorization is merely a Class D crime<\/a>, whereas Aggravated Criminal Invasion of Computer Privacy is a Class C crime.
\n
\nA Class D crime can be punished by up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000<\/a>. A Class C crime is subject to at most five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Mental State Required for Prosecution<\/b><\/td>\nA defendant must have intentionally or knowingly<\/a> committed the computer crime to be charged.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Defenses<\/b><\/td>\nMany defenses<\/a>, such as innocence, could apply to a charge of a computer crime. Another defense is that the defendant had reasonable grounds to believe he or she had the right to access, alter, damage, or introduce a virus to a computer or its data, programs, systems, or networks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Attempt Considered a Crime?<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Civil Lawsuits<\/b><\/td>\nCivil lawsuits based on computer are not explicitly provided for in these statutes, but may be permissible if other torts<\/a> or injuries (like invasion of privacy, trespassing, or fraud) have been committed in the process of the crime.<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

If you or a loved one has been charged with a computer-related crime, you should immediately speak with an experienced local criminal defense lawyer<\/a> or your assigned public defender.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are updated frequently. Please conduct your own legal research or contact a knowledgeable lawyer to verify these state computer crimes.<\/i><\/p>\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\n