Why a Computer Fraud / CFAA conviction matters
A § 1030 case involving nonviolent unauthorized access or financial fraud can look very different from a computer-extortion or threat case. The indictment and factual basis help determine whether DOJ may treat the conduct as an ordinary felony or a stronger presumptive category.
How DOJ’s current restoration rule may treat the offense
A nonviolent computer-fraud felony may fit the five-year other-felony presumption, while threat or extortion conduct can trigger a ten-year or permanent category depending on the facts.
If the case included extortion, threats, stalking, or another separately listed offense, do not rely on the generic “computer fraud” label. Those facts can materially change the restoration outlook.
What records should be reviewed?
For a felony-based firearm disability, DOJ currently directs applicants to gather the charging document, judgment of conviction, and official proof of the date the final sentence requirement was completed. Depending on the case, the plea agreement, factual basis, presentence report, prior restoration applications, and state criminal-history records may also be required. See the complete Federal Restoration Required Documents Checklist →
State law can still change the answer
If the computer fraud / cfaa conviction was entered in state court, a pardon, set-aside, expungement, restoration of civil rights, or firearm-specific order may affect whether the conviction continues to count for federal firearm purposes. The legal effect of the actual order matters. Use the Gun Rights by State guides to identify the separate state layer.
What should you do next?
Start with the Eligibility Review if you are not sure which restoration path fits. If a federal § 925(c) application appears relevant, use the shorter federal restoration services. You can also read the September 2026 DOJ update and the main gun-rights restoration FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Possibly. A Computer Fraud and Abuse Act conviction can be reviewed for restoration. The specific subsection and what the computer conduct was used to accomplish are important.
A nonviolent computer-fraud felony may fit the five-year other-felony presumption, while threat or extortion conduct can trigger a ten-year or permanent category depending on the facts. The exact judgment and underlying conduct should be reviewed before relying on a general category.
Start with the charging document, judgment, plea or trial disposition, sentencing records, official proof of when the final sentence requirement was completed, and copies of any prior pardon or rights-restoration order. DOJ also currently requires state criminal-history records covering the applicable period.
Not necessarily. Probation, parole, supervised release, community service, restitution, fines, or other criminal sentence requirements can affect the final sentence-completion date.
Sometimes, particularly for state convictions, but federal law looks at the legal effect of the relief. A pardon, expungement, set-aside, or restoration of civil rights should be reviewed under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20) and current state law.
No. Filing an eligibility review, a FelonJustice intake, or an official DOJ application does not suspend a firearm prohibition. Relief must actually be effective under every applicable federal, state, and tribal rule.