N.Y. Penal Law Section 156.50
Offenses involving computers

  • defenses
In any prosecution:

1.

under section 156.05 or 156.10 of this article, it shall be a defense that the defendant had reasonable grounds to believe that he had authorization to use the computer;

2.

under section 156.20, 156.25, 156.26 or 156.27 of this article it shall be a defense that the defendant had reasonable grounds to believe that he had the right to alter in any manner or destroy the computer data or the computer program;

3.

under section 156.29 or 156.30 of this article it shall be a defense that the defendant had reasonable grounds to believe that he had the right to copy, reproduce or duplicate in any manner the computer data or the computer program.

Source: Section 156.50 — Offenses involving computers; defenses, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/156.­50 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 10, 2026).

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Verified:
Jan. 10, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 156.50. Offenses involving computers's source at nysenate​.gov

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