Woman Faced Charges Over Law Office Data Breach

A West Jordan resident was charged with stalking and unauthorized computer access in a legal system breach.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a monolithic courthouse facade, evoking the gravity of legal and institutional security protocols. — Amber Lynn Cherrington faces felony stalking and unauthorized computer access charges following a breach of a Salt Lake City law firm's digital records. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Amber Lynn Cherrington has been charged in 3rd District Court with stalking and multiple counts of unlawful computer access. The 52-year-old allegedly used an attorney's credentials to expose confidential client files.

Why it matters

The case highlights vulnerabilities in legal document management after the defendant allegedly leaked sensitive information following dissatisfaction with her divorce case outcome.

Amber Lynn Cherrington faces eight counts of unlawful computer access, including seven third-degree felonies, and one count of stalking. Charges were formally filed in the 3rd District Court on October 2, 2026.

The players

Amber Lynn Cherrington

The 52-year-old defendant from West Jordan faces multiple felony counts regarding a data breach at a law office.

3rd District Court

This Utah judicial body is the venue presiding over the criminal proceedings against the defendant.

The details

Prosecutors claim that after receiving temporary access to the state e-filing system in February 2025, Cherrington used her attorney's password to access client files. She allegedly distributed these confidential documents to seven separate groups and impersonated the attorney's husband in communications sent to local media outlets.

February 5, 2025: The attorney provided the defendant with access to the state e-filing system.
May 29, 2026: The security breach involving confidential client files was discovered.
Late September 2026: The defendant solicited other attorneys to file complaints.
October 2, 2026: Criminal charges were filed in 3rd District Court.

Legal Context

The charges filed follow the standards established by the Utah Code on unauthorized computer access, which categorizes such digital intrusion as a serious criminal offense. The prosecution relies on existing statutes governing digital privacy to address the alleged misuse of protected attorney credentials.

This case underscores the necessity for law firms to implement stricter credential management and multi-factor authentication to protect client confidentiality. Residents involved in ongoing litigation may be prompted to ask their legal representatives about data security measures.

The takeaway

Maintaining digital hygiene is critical for both law offices and their clients to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive records. Individuals should be aware that utilizing shared passwords in professional settings can lead to significant legal exposure.