Baltimore, MD asked in Immigration Law, Federal Crimes and Communications Law for New Jersey

Q: Would this be considered a crime? I recently signed into my college wi-fi using my own credentials to redirect traffic.

Would this be considered a crime? I recently signed into my college wi-fi using my own credentials to redirect internet traffic through my laptop.

This enabled me to view both student and professor login credentials

Three days laterr, I was questioned by the school police, arrested and currently awaiting trial for unauthorized access to computer and obtained passwords.

Does this qualify for cybercrime and am I going to jail? How many years am I doing?Jeopardize my immigration status? Expelled from school?

I am a computer science student and had no intentions of using them for anything. My lowest grade is a B+ and a 3.6 GPA. Been accused of changing my grades. I am a legal permanent resident of NJ.

I did this out of sheer stupidity and a blinded driven motivation to explore.

2 Lawyer Answers
James A. Abate
James A. Abate
Answered
  • Somerville, NJ
  • Licensed in New Jersey

A: A great deal more information is needed and you should have an in person consultation to go over all of those questions. If you have been charged, then obviously it is being considered a crime. Could it affect your immigration status, yes absolutely. But I am confused about your facing trial. If that is the case, you obviously have a lawyer. Why are you not having this discussion with him or her. If your answer is that have the PD, you should think about getting private counsel. Yes it it will cost you, but loosing your education, ability to remain in the USA and going to jail, seems like something you need to have private counsel on.

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
Answered
  • Communications & Internet Law Lawyer
  • East Brunswick, NJ
  • Licensed in New Jersey

A: Guess you're conduct amounts to a crime in New Jersey. Depending on the exact conduct it may also be a federal crime. As an immigration lawyer and a criminal lawyer I can tell you that you are facing bad repercussions on both ends. If you don't have a good criminal lawyer now, who knows immigration you better get yourself one immediately. The more time your attorney has to work on the case but better the results you will get so don't delay and hire one.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.