Cyber Crime Defense in Columbus, Georgia

Work Directly with a Trial Attorney on Your Cyber Crime Defense

Cyber crime allegations often turn on technical evidence and precise questions about who had permission to access an account, device, or network. Ted Morgan Law provides criminal defense representation in Columbus, Georgia, for people accused of computer and internet-related offenses under state or federal law.

Attorney Ted Morgan has practiced law since 1993, working exclusively as a trial attorney. Our clients work directly with Ted throughout their cases rather than being routed to support staff. He examines the accusation alongside digital records, account activity, communications, device data, and the scope of any authorized access.

A charge involving a computer or online account can affect far more than the technology at issue. We evaluate the accusation, available evidence, and court system handling the case to provide clear guidance based on your circumstances.

Call (706) 622-6255 for a free phone consultation about cyber crime charges in Columbus, Georgia.

Computer Crimes Under Georgia Law

The Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act, found at O.C.G.A. § 16-9-93, defines several computer-related offenses. The applicable charge depends on what the prosecution claims a person accessed, did, obtained, altered, or disclosed.

Georgia law identifies the following offense categories:

• Computer theft: Using a computer or network to take property or appropriate certain resources.
• Computer trespass: Using a computer or network while knowing the use is unauthorized.
• Computer invasion of privacy: Examining personal data while knowing the examination is unauthorized.
• Computer forgery: Creating, altering, or deleting data intended to be taken as an authentic record.
• Computer password disclosure: Disclosing a password or other access information without authorization.

Computer trespass requires use of a computer or computer network with knowledge that the use is unauthorized. Use beyond the permission granted by an owner may meet that definition. The nature of the permission, its limits, and whether it had been changed or withdrawn can therefore become central to the case.

State & Federal Cyber Crime Penalties in Columbus

Under O.C.G.A. § 16-9-93(h), computer theft, trespass, invasion of privacy, and forgery are punishable by a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both. Computer password disclosure carries a maximum fine of $5,000, incarceration for up to one year, or both. The actual consequences depend on the charged offense and the facts established in court.

A Columbus allegation may proceed under state law, federal law, or potentially both when the conduct implicates both sets of statutes. Jurisdiction can depend on the systems involved, where the activity occurred, how an account or network was accessed, and whether federal investigative or prosecutorial authority applies.

State computer crime charges can proceed within the Georgia court system. We’re familiar with the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and evaluate each case according to the specific charge, procedural stage, and evidence available to the prosecution.

Federal Court Proceedings

The federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act criminalizes unauthorized computer access and related conduct. Its penalties vary based on the conduct, resulting harm, and other statutory factors. Federal cases originating in Columbus are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Columbus Division, and appeals from that court go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Key Defense Issues in a Computer Crime Case

A digital record can show that an account was used, but that fact alone may not establish who acted, what permission existed, or whether the required intent can be proven. Our approach includes a thorough case evaluation and detailed evidence collection focused on the limits of the prosecution’s theory.

A defense assessment may examine:

• Authorization: What access was granted, who granted it, and whether the use exceeded that permission.
• Knowledge: Whether the evidence supports a claim that the accused knew the use was unauthorized.
• Attribution: Whether account, device, network, and communication records reliably connect the activity to the accused.
• Intent: Whether the evidence establishes the mental state required for the charged offense.
• Scope: Whether the conduct shown by the records matches every element of the prosecution’s chosen charge.

Georgia case law illustrates why these distinctions matter. In Kinslow v. State, the Georgia Supreme Court held that rerouting a supervisor’s email to the defendant’s account, without blocking or hindering the supervisor’s receipt of those emails, was insufficient evidence of computer trespass. That decision doesn’t determine the result in another case, but it shows that the technical conduct must satisfy the legal elements of the charge.

What to Expect from Our Cyber Crime Defense Process

The first step is a free phone consultation. We use that conversation to understand the accusations, the current stage of the case, and what information may be available for review. Zoom appointments are also available.

Our representation includes case evaluation, evidence collection, and advocacy tailored to your circumstances. We consider digital evidence in context, including account permissions, the applicable charge, and the records offered to support the accusation. Ted communicates directly with clients as the case progresses.

Early information can clarify whether investigators have contacted you, charges have been filed, or a court date has been set. Don’t delete, alter, or attempt to explain potentially relevant electronic material before obtaining legal advice, since those actions may create additional issues.

Discuss Your Cyber Crime Allegations with Ted Morgan

A free phone consultation gives you an opportunity to explain what happened and receive guidance about the next step. Call (706) 622-6255 to speak with Ted Morgan Law about cyber crime or computer crime allegations in Columbus, Georgia, or use our contact form to request a conversation.