New York legal term
Computer in New York Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New York legislative session
In New York criminal law, “Computer” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New York criminal code.
What does “Computer” mean in New York criminal law?
"Computer" means a device or group of devices which, by manipulation of electronic, magnetic, optical or electrochemical impulses, pursuant to a computer program, can automatically perform arithmetic, logical, storage or retrieval operations with or on computer data, and includes any connected or directly related device, equipment or facility which enables such computer to store, retrieve or communicate to or from a person, another computer or another device the results of computer operations, computer programs or computer data. 2. (N.Y. Penal Law § 156.00)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Theft of services
- Aggravated harassment in the second degree
- Aggravated harassment of a judge
- Computer tampering in the first degree
- Computer tampering in the fourth degree
- Computer tampering in the second degree
- Computer tampering in the third degree
- Computer trespass
- Criminal possession of computer related material
- Disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree
- Disseminating indecent material to minors in the second degree
- Operating an unlawful electronic sweepstakes
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.