Eliasz Pol
Eliasz Pol voted up Corey The Goofyhawk's answer

Every American should have a good knowledge of the national Constitution. That's where our rights and laws originate from. It also sets the stage for the state level constitutions.

Eliasz Pol
Eliasz Pol voted up Walt O'Reagun's answer

It depends on WHY you hire one.

Lots of companies ... And even governments ... Hire outside hackers to assess their network security.

But if you attempt to break in to someone else's network or software, without their permission, it is illegal.  Basically the electronic version of breaking into someone's house.