Ex-Gwinnett County Judge Indicted for Computer Crimes

Gwinnett County Courthouse

Lawrenceville, Ga. – A former Gwinnett County judge has been indicted for three counts of computer trespass, felony computer theft, and misdemeanor password disclosure.

She has been accused of illegal access to the county's computer system. Not many details have been released, however, as a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will outline the law behind one of the offenses that the former judge has been accused of – computer trespass.

Computer Trespass in Georgia

O.C.G.A. §16-9-93(b) defines computer trespass in Georgia as:

A person will be guilty of computer trespass when they use a computer or computer network with knowledge that such use is without authority with the intention of:

• Deleting or in any way removing, either temporarily or permanently, any computer program or data from a computer or computer network;
• Obstructing, interrupting, or in any way interfering with the use of a computer program or data; or
• Altering, damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of a computer, computer network, or computer program, regardless of how long the alteration, damage, or malfunction persists.

A person convicted of computer trespass will receive a fine up to $50,000, up to 15 years in prison, or both. It is treated as a felony conviction. However, if a person or property was injured because of the computer trespass, the victim may sue to recover any damages sustained and the cost of the lawsuit. Damages can include loss of profits and any expense the victim had to pay because of the trespass. However, the amount of restitution ordered cannot exceed the damage done to the victim.

Practice Note

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