According to the United States Department of Justice, hacking charges can carry serious consequences for those accused, including prison time and stiff fines. There are a number of factors that have an impact on the penalties associated with hacking, such as whether an individual is charged with hacking into a home computer or a computer that belongs to the federal government. In Stamford, and other cities across Connecticut, those charged with hacking should carefully review their options.
On top of federal laws against hacking, this offense is also punished on the state level. The Connecticut General Assembly provides an overview of the different penalties for hacking, which vary depending on the details surrounding a case. In Connecticut, hacking is punished under the state’s statutes for computer crimes. For example, hacking cases which involve under $500 in damage are considered Class B misdemeanors, which carry as much as $1,000 in fines along with a six month prison sentence.
If the damage caused by hacking exceeds $500 but is less than $1,000 (Class A misdemeanor), hackers may face $2,000 in fines in addition to one year behind bars. If damages are greater than $1,000 or someone else faced a risk of bodily injury, hackers could face Class D felony charges, which carry a maximum sentence of five years and $5,000 in fines. Those accused of Class C felony hacking (more than $5,000 in damage) face $10,000 in fines and ten years behind bars, while Class B felony hacking cases (damages exceeding $10,000) carry a penalty of $15,000 and as much as 20 years imprisonment.
