Modern criminal investigations and prosecutions often involve digital crimes and digital evidence. This course covers the legal issues they raise. It addresses three questions. First, what is the law of substantive computer crime, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act? Second, what is the law governing the collection of digital evidence under the Fourth Amendment and the Stored Communications Act? Third, what are the jurisdictional limits of computer crime investigations and prosecutions, both in terms of federal vs. state powers and the role of the United States in the world? No technical background is assumed. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, exam.
3 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
Modern criminal investigations and prosecutions often involve digital crimes and digital evidence. This course covers the legal issues they raise. It addresses three questions. First, what is the law of substantive computer crime, such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act? Second, what is the law governing the collection of digital evidence under the Fourth Amendment and the Stored Communications Act? Third, what are the jurisdictional limits of computer crime investigations and prosecutions, both in terms of federal vs. state powers and the role of the United States in the world? No technical background is assumed. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, exam.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.