Penal Law § 156.05

Unauthorized use of a computer  ·  as in force on May 31, 2026

§ 156.05 Unauthorized use of a computer.

A person is guilty of unauthorized use of a computer when he or she knowingly uses, causes to be used, or accesses a computer, computer service, or computer network without authorization.

Unauthorized use of a computer is a class A misdemeanor.

Official sourcehttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/156.05

In plain English

A person commits unauthorized use of a computer by knowingly using, causing to be used, or accessing a computer, computer service, or computer network without authorization. ★ It is a class A misdemeanor.

Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.

In print

This provision appears in Volume 4 — The Court Clerk: Penal Law; Volume 1 — The Court Officer in Plain English; Volume 3 — The Court Officer: Penal Law; Volume 3 — Your Career: Penal Law in Plain English.