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<section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="10-4A-02" title_number="10" title_name="Evidence" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Stored Wire and Electronic Communications and Transactional Records Access">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not obtain, alter, or prevent authorized access to a wire or electronic communication while it is in electronic storage in an electronic communications system by:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Intentionally accessing without authorization a facility through which an electronic communication service is provided; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Intentionally exceeding an authorization to access a facility through which an electronic communication service is provided.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section is subject to the following penalties:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>If the offense is committed for purposes of commercial advantage, malicious destruction or damage, or private commercial gain:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>For a first offense, a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>For a second or subsequent offense, a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both; or</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>In any other case, a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to conduct authorized:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>By the person or entity providing a wire or electronic communications service;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>By a user of a wire or electronic communications service with respect to a communication of or intended for that user; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Under the provisions of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
