Cyber Law

Students will gain a broad knowledge of constitutional, civil, criminal, and related legal considerations that arise in the context of work or citizenship in an increasingly cyber/digital world.   Whether the student seeks a career in the public or private sector, the student will gain insight into both the limits and authorities on government or private sector activities, from the creation and protection of intellectual property, to the investigation of unlawful cyber activities, to the considerations of cyber operations in an increasingly dangerous world.  This broadened awareness will help students successfully navigate and strengthen personal and professional choices as they move ahead.

Course Material

Assignment 1

1. Fill out a downloadable and fillable AO 93 (Rev. 11/13) federal search and seizure warrant (https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/search-and-seizure-warrantLinks to an external site.) and submit it along with your affidavit (see next step 2). 

2. Submit as an online text entry an affidavit that establishes probable cause to search and seize the person or property described in the warrant. 

In the AO 93 search and seizure warrant form, middle of p. 1, a sentence begins: “I find that the affidavit(s)…” followed by a blank space. In that blank space a) type: “See attached affidavit by Agent (your name)” followed b) what your search will reveal (identify the person or describe the property to be seized – this is the evidence, contraband, or instrumentalities that you plan to seize based on your search. 

For purposes of filling out the AO 93 search and seizure warrant form, presume that you are in the Eastern District of Virginia (as noted at the top of the AO 93 form “United States District Court for Eastern District of Virginia) and that whatever you are searching for is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Make up a case number and a judge’s name.

For purposes of this assignment, the person or place you will search must be an actual person or physical place. What you will search for and seize will be the evidence, contraband, or instrumentalities of that particular crime at the person or place you select – be specific, and be sure to include digital evidence.

Fill out the entire AO 93 warrant form (both sides), including the inventory. Attach the completed AO 93 warrant form as part of your assignment.

In the affidavit (submitted online as part of your assignment), remember your goal: to establish probable cause to search and seize the person or property described in your warrant. That means you must provide, among other things, facts and circumstances establishing that a particular federal crime was committed by someone, and that specific evidence, contraband, or instrumentalities of this crime will be found at your designated person and/or location. I recommend that you begin your affidavit by describing what qualifications you have (like everything else here, use your knowledge and imagination). Describe the crime itself. In establishing probable cause, think about potential sources of evidence – witness/victim interviews (what did they say), informants, surveillance, direct observations, publicly available records and information, information obtained by subpoena, social media, or any other credible source of information relevant to establishing probable cause establishing that  a specific federal cybercrime was committed, where the evidence is located, and what might be found there.

 

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