NCJ Number
82201
Date Published
1980
Length
182 pages
Annotation
This document presents testimony from attorneys and computer experts regarding the need for Senate bill 240, the Federal Systems Computer Protection Act, and the extent of computer-related crime.
Abstract
Opening statements by two senators focused on problems posed by the bill, particularly the statutory overlap that could result from a new criminal law and the desirability of expanded Federal jurisdiction into areas traditionally reserved to States. The first witness, the Attorney General for Colorado, found many problems in the bill's language and suggested that it be amended to include only computer operations used exclusively for the purposes of the Federal Government. He also felt that States were capable of handling computer crime. A professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discussed future trends in computing that are likely to result from dramatic improvements in the cost and performance of computing equipment over the next 20 years. Opposition to the law was expressed by a computer programmer on the basis that computer crime is an insignificant problem and that existing criminal law is adequate. Finally, the chairman of the board of the National District Attorney Association opposed the legislation as an intrusion into local matters, but suggested that States could benefit from Federal technical assistance in computer crime and information exchanges with other States. The appendixes contain in the bill's text, additional submissions by witnesses, a letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on its role in computer crime investigations, an American Bar Association resolution, and statements submitted by other concerned individuals and organizations. Articles on computer crime are attached.