{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "156.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 156.20", "heading": "Computer tampering in the fourth degree", "text": ["§ 156.20 Computer tampering in the fourth degree.", "A person is guilty of computer tampering in the fourth degree when he or she uses, causes to be used, or accesses a computer, computer service, or computer network without authorization and he or she intentionally alters in any manner or destroys computer data or a computer program of another person.", "Computer tampering in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/156.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits fourth-degree computer tampering by **using, causing to be used, or accessing** a computer, computer service, or network **without authorization** and **intentionally altering in any manner or destroying another person's data or program**. ★ It is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/156.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}