Penalty Info

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Cybercrime / hackingPossibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(1) — national-security computersPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–10 years; repeat 0–20 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2) — accessPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–1 year; commercial gain / furtherance / >$5,000 0–5 years; repeat 0–10 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(3), (a)(6) — trespass / passwordsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–1 year; repeat 0–10 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(4), (a)(7) — fraud / extortionPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–5 years; repeat 0–10 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) — intentional damagePossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–10 years; repeat 0–20 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(B) — reckless damagePossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
1st offence 0–5 years; repeat 0–20 years
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

18 U.S.C. § 1030(c)(4) — harm escalatorsPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
Serious bodily injury 0–20 years; death up to life
Fine
Fines via 18 U.S.C. § 3571

Source

Statute
18 U.S.C. § 1030 (CFAA)
Official source
CRS via EveryCRSReport + LegalClarity (secondary)
Verification status
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Tiers rest on CRS / secondary summaries only; a direct read of § 1030(c) is still needed.
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, loss, plea, discretion. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.