Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. 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.
The presence of computers in modern life cannot be overstated. While they have made life much easier, more convenient, and in some ways more exciting, they also offer criminals novel ways to commit crimes. Most states have computer crime laws that prohibit unauthorized access to a computer or network, especially when they involve theft, alteration, or destruction of data or computer networks.
One common computer crime is the unauthorized access of a retailer's customer database, which often yields credit card numbers and other sensitive data. While identity theft is often committed with the help of a computer, it is not considered a computer crime, since it may also be committed in other ways that don't involve computers.
Computer crimes are charged as a Class C felony in Alaska and include any kind of unauthorized access of a computer or network for the purpose of tampering with data, obtaining sensitive information, and other acts.
See the following chart for more details about the Alaska computer crime statute. See FindLaw's Cyber Crimes section for related articles and resources.
| Code Section | 11.46.740 |
| Prohibited Acts | A person commits the offense of criminal use of a computer if, having no right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe the person has such a right, the person knowingly accesses, causes to be accessed, or exceeds the person's authorized access to a computer, computer system, computer program, computer network, or any part of a computer system or network, and, as a result of or in the course of that access:
|
| Mental State Required for Prosecution | Knowingly, without reasonable grounds |
| Misdemeanor Computer Crimes | None |
| Felony Computer Crimes | All computer crimes defined by this statute are charged as a Class C felony |
| Attempt Considered a Crime? | No |
| Civil Lawsuit Permitted? | No |
Note: State laws tend to change from time to time, often through the enactment of newly signed legislation but sometimes through the decisions of higher courts or other means. You may want to contact an Alaska criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Alaska attorneys offer free consultations.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.