Legal Question in Technology Law in California

Re: fraudulent email

This could be a civil wrong for which you could sue, or a criminal wrong for which the state could prosecute, depending upon how it was done (how your password was obtained), what was done or attempted through the email message (was it, say, fraud or an attempt to defraud, defamation, a privacy invasion, etc.?), the intent of the sender, and whether you or anyone sustained damages as a result. I don't think it is illegal in all cases, hence the need for additional facts.