Tampering with computer equipment
This law is about messing with computers or computer parts without permission. If someone changes, breaks, damages, or takes computer equipment or stored data without being allowed to, that is a crime. It is usually a minor crime, but becomes more serious if the damage costs $750 or more, or if someone did it to steal something worth $750 or more. If the damage reaches $25,000 or more, it becomes an even bigger crime.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
569.097. with computer equipment — penalties. — 1. A person commits the of tampering with computer equipment if he or she and without or without to believe that he or she has such authorization:
(1) Modifies, destroys, , or takes equipment or used or intended to be used in a computer, computer system, or ; or
(2) Modifies, destroys, damages, or takes any computer, computer system, or computer network.
2. The offense of tampering with computer equipment is a , unless:
(1) The offense is committed for the purpose of executing any or obtain any property, the value of which is seven hundred fifty dollars or more, in which case it is a ; or
(2) The damage to such computer equipment or to the computer, computer system, or computer network is seven hundred fifty dollars or more, in which case it is a class E felony; or
(3) The damage to such computer equipment or to the computer, computer system, or computer network is twenty-five thousand dollars or more, in which case it is a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1982 H.B. 1454, et al. § 3, A.L. 1987 H.B. 208, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1888, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17 Civil action for tampering with computer equipment, expenses and attorney fees, 537.525
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.