Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: Can you provide a complete analysis of the Douglas factors from a case concerning unauthorized use of a computer system? A: The Douglas factors are a list of twelve issues which are widely used in determining the appropriate penalty for the non-criminal misconduct of a Federal employee. They are named for the case in which the factors were first outlined, Douglas v. Veterans Admin., 5 M.S.P.R. 280 (1981). The Merit…