Logo
  • Home
  • Ask
  • Teen Help Network
  • About
    • About Judge Tom
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Press Room
  • Your Rights
    • Crime and Punishment
    • Student Rights at School
    • You and Your Body
    • You and the Internet
    • Juvenile Justice System
    • LGBT Youth Rights
    • More Categories
  • Blog
  • Get Help
    • Videos
    • A Teenager’s Guide to Juvenile Court
    • Books
    • Research & Resources
  • Newsletter Signup

 

Q&A

Know your rights! Youth justice and juvenile law answers.

Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
Logo
July 2, 2009
Judge Tom
You and the Internet
3

Can I get in trouble for hacking into the school computer?

PreviousNext

“Hacking” is the act of breaking into someone’s computer system without permission. There are state and federal laws against hacking with penalties that include probation, jail or prison time.

Cases of students hacking the school computer and gaining unauthorized access to the school’s system are uncommon, but it has happened. Teens have tampered with school computers in order to change their grades, steal tests, and obtain personal information about faculty and staff.
hackernightjuanlupion2

Photo by Juan Lupion

Once caught, the authorities usually take immediate action against the student. Even if criminal charges are not filed, the school may suspend or expel the hacker. Consider the following hacking incidents:

17-year-old Justin Boucher of Wisconsin wrote an article for his school newspaper titled “So you want to be a hacker.” He included instructions on how to break into the school’s computer. He was expelled for one year.

In June, 2009, 19-year-old Matthew Weigman of Boston was sentenced to 11 years in prison for using computers and the telephone to harass victims – making fake 911 calls to get SWAT teams to respond to unsuspecting victims’ homes.

In 2008, 19-year-old Josh Holly hacked into Miley Cyrus’ s email account and stole photos of her. Although no charges were filed, two years later in December, 2010, Josh was arrested and charged with possession of 200 credit card numbers with intent to defraud. He was released and ordered to have no access to computers or other Internet devices. In July, 2011, it was decided that Josh would not stand trial in state court for hacking into Miley’s account. However, the federal charges remain in place. He may work out a plea bargain on those charges. On August 1, 2011, Josh pled guilty to  charges of hacking and credit card theft. He was sentenced in October, 2011 to three years on probation.

  •  20-year-old David Kernell hacked into Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s email account looking for something incriminating to derail her campaign. On April 30, 2010 he was found guilty by a jury of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access to a computer. He faced 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced. On November 12, 2010, David was sentenced to a year and a day in jail followed by three years of probation. The judge recommended that he serve his time in a rehabilitation center and the Federal Bureau of Prisons will decide whether to do so. In January, 2011, the Bureau decided against the judge’s recommendation and David reported to prison to serve his sentence on January 10, 2011. The Bureau explained that Kernell has three years of college and the support of his family and that the halfway house space is needed for inmates who have limited skills, resources and community support. In January, 2012, David lost the appeal of his conviction and in October, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case.* He was released from probation in 2013. In 2018, David passed away at age 30 from complications with multiple sclerosis.
  • In 2001, a 15-year-old Canadian boy plead guilty to computer mischief and unauthorized access and was sentenced to eight months in juvenile detention and probation.
  • An 11-year-old Florida boy broke into his teacher’s computer and changed his grades. He was arrested, released to his father and completed a diversion program.

Josh Holly

On the other hand, some teens with computer skills have been beneficial to schools and the government. Reid Ellison of California was given permission to hack into his school’s computer system as his class project. He did it so quickly that he was asked to help  in securing the system.

Find out more about the government’s search for “white-hat” hackers.

*In a shocking statement from Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, in July, 2016 follows:

“By the way, if they hacked, they probably have her 33,000 emails. I hope they do,” the GOP nominee told reporters, referring to Russia. He also addressed the country directly: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you can find the 33,000 emails that are missing.”

What do you think of a person seeking the highest office in the country, egging on Russia to engage in hacking into servers in the U.S.? Doesn’t that put our electrical grid, banking systems, water and power plants at extreme risk?

digital rightsrights at school
Share this
Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

Find great resources in our

Teen Help Network


Leave A Comment Cancel reply

3 Comments

  • Kulkat11
    November 15, 2023 1:40 pm count( 0 )

    I need help! I think a kid is hacking me currently but how can I be sure? he says he’s in my account and I know he’s been in my task manager but its still bad. i have a game site I made for my self but if it gets leaked, I’m dead.
    Dear Kulkat11: If you’re under 18 and live with your parents, we suggest that you tell them about this. It would be better coming from you than another source. We don’t know your age but your parents should be involved in protecting you and putting a stop to any cyberbullying that’s going on. If this gets to the point that the police are involved, it would be much better for you if they know about it in advance rather than finding out another way if you don’t tell them about it. Good luck.
    (This is information only – not legal advice).

  • Carla Tichenor
    June 10, 2018 9:38 am count( 1 )

    I’m 56 year old and I don’t know why or who doing this to me. It’s been going on for about 4months. Google and fb have seen it.Youtube found him but would not tell me because of security reasons . He used my debit card which he must of got off my phone.Pleace help me. thanks
    Dear Carla: Askthejudge is a website designed for teenagers about laws that affect them. As such, we do not provide legal advice to our readers, whether teen or adult. We suggest you contact your bank about this and/or a lawyer who practices civil law. Also, if you think a crime has been committed notify the police who may investigate these events. Good luck.
    (This is information only – not legal advice).

  • kikie
    March 8, 2012 7:37 pm count( 2 )

    i am wondering how can i hack into another computer just e-mail me the instutions.
    Dear Kikie: You’ll have to look elsewhere for this information. If you haven’t noticed, AsktheJudge.info provides resources and comments to serious readers with legitimate intentions.
    (This is information only – not legal advice).