{"id":377294,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-computer-crimes-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:49:13","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:49:13","slug":"wisconsin-computer-crimes-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-computer-crimes-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Computer Crimes Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin 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 reviewed\n

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From spam and viruses to identity theft and hackers, there seems to be no end to the ways criminals can use computers. So how we can keep ourselves safe? Fortunately for those of us in the Badger State, Wisconsin has laws in place to help protect us from online theft or fraud. Here is a brief overview of computer crimes laws in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

Computer Crimes<\/h2>\n

Most people have heard of "hacking." But there are many state laws<\/a> that identify and prohibit offenses collectively called "computer crimes<\/a>," which can include a variety of offenses such as hacking into a secure network, damaging a computer system, or even large-scale spam operations. Wisconsin computer crime laws require the act to be willful and an attempted computer crime is not subject to prosecution.<\/p>\n

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

Wisconsin\u2019s computer crime statutes are highlighted in the chart below.<\/p>\n\n

Code Section<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

943.70<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Mental State Required for Prosecution<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Willfully, knowingly<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Misdemeanor Computer Crimes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Offenses against computer data and programs class A misdemeanor; offenses against computers, computer equipment and supplies is class A misdemeanor<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Felony Computer Crimes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Offenses against computer data and programs is if offense is to defraud or obtain property, class I; if damage greater than $2500 or act causes interruption or impairment of govt operations or public utility or service, class D; if offense creates risk of death or bodily harm to another, class F; offense against computer, computer equipment or supplies is class I if offense is done to defraud or obtain property; class H if damage is under $2500; and class F if act creates risk of death or bodily harm to another<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Attempt Considered a Crime?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

No<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Civil Lawsuit Permitted?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Aggrieved party may sue for injunctive relief<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Computer crimes, also called \u201ccyber\u201d crimes, can include:<\/p>\n