Highly Skilled Criminal Defense Attorneys Committed to Serving Clients Facing Internet Crime Charges Across the Greater Los Angeles Area

As the internet becomes an increasingly integral part of our daily lives, and computers or cell phones become essential for conducting business, engaging in social activities, and staying in touch with family members and other loved ones, there is also a rise in internet crimes committed by malicious actors. An internet crime, also sometimes referred to as cybercrime or computer crime, is a white-collar offense that is either committed using the internet or targeted at computers themselves. Because of the relative newness of the World Wide Web, more laws are being created all the time to penalize criminal activity, defend internet users, and keep everyone safe online.

Those accused of committing internet crimes or crimes against computer systems may face a challenging legal matter for several reasons. Not all criminal defense lawyers possess the necessary experience to effectively protect defendants from aggressive prosecutors who may seek to make examples of the accused in court.

At our law firm, we have experience representing clients in both state and federal courts in matters of internet crime investigations and trials. With our extensive experience, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts, gather evidence about the alleged illegal activity, present arguments before a judge, negotiate with the prosecution, and help our defendants avoid the harshest penalties and achieve a favorable outcome.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining professional legal representation from our criminal attorneys, please get in touch with our law offices to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation today.

What Types of Computer Criminal Offenses Does Our Legal Team Represent?

Crimes committed using the internet may carry both cybercrime charges and charges associated with the specific criminal acts accused of being committed. For example, an individual charged with stealing credit card information online may face penalties for both their internet activity and credit card fraud. Additionally, many internet crimes involve targeting computer data, networks, and other electronic devices themselves, such as instances of hacking these systems. Both state and federal laws prohibit these and other internet crimes.

Examples of internet crimes we represent include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Identity theft
• Child pornography
• Theft of intellectual property
• Hacking into a computer or electronic device
• Pirating
• Access into a computer system without the owner’s consent or awareness
• Phishing scams
• Copyright infringement
• Distributions of viruses and malware
• Cyberstalking and cyberbullying
• Distributed denial of service attacks
• Computer espionage
• Exploitation and abuse of children
• Cryptojacking
• Online data breaches
• Defacing websites
• Invasion of privacy
• Spoofing IP addresses
• Digital spamming
• The purchase of illegal drugs and controlled substances online
• Internet-based terrorism
• Enticing or luring a minor over the internet with the intent to meet them in person
• Trespassing in government computers 
• Forgery scams
• Various examples of fraud, including credit card, auction, business, investment, and e-commerce fraud
• And more

What State and Federal Laws Regulate Internet Criminal Activity?

Federal agencies, including the FBI, prosecute cybercrime cases nationwide. Additionally, there are state laws that can relate to specific Internet crimes as well.

Computer crimes involve several legal statutes, including the following:

• The CAN-SPAM Act criminalizes specific acts relating to the sending of significant amounts of spam material, as well as deceptive or misleading information.
• The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is a civil and criminal internet crime law that prohibits various illegal activities, such as acts of preying upon computer systems.
• The Economic Espionage Act (EEA) prohibits the trafficking or theft of trade secrets for foreign governments, agents, and other parties.
• The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act criminalizes the offense of aggravated identity theft, which involves the defendant knowingly possessing and using a means of identification of another person without their consent.
• The Stored Communications Act relates to intentionally accessing facilities where emails and other electronic communications are provided and stored.
• The Wiretap Act refers to the illegal act of intercepting, disclosing, or using any illegally intercepted or pirated material.
• And more

What Are the Differences Between State and Federal Computer Crime Charges?

The key difference between state and federal internet crimes lies in the jurisdiction and laws that can be applied to a cybercrime case. For example, California internet crimes can be prosecuted under state laws and typically relate to criminal offenses such as identity theft, cyberbullying, and instances of fraud that transpire within state lines.

Federal internet crimes are under the jurisdiction of the federal government. These offenses are prosecuted according to federal statutes and generally include criminal activity that crosses state lines or violates federal laws, such as the distribution of child pornography, committing online fraud across state lines, or hacking into government systems.

What Are Common Defenses for Those Accused of Committing Computer Crimes in North Hollywood, CA?

Every computer crime case is unique, and the defense strategy that applies to one defendant may not be helpful to your case.

Some of the common defense strategies utilized in California cybercrime cases include the following:

• Establishing a lack of intent to commit a crime, which can be especially useful in cases involving unauthorized access into a computer system or an alleged hacking event.
• In situations where the alleged criminal behavior was performed with the full consent of the system owner, the act usually will not be considered illegal.
• Proving to the jury that this is a case of mistaken identity, which can be accomplished by examining digital footprints and proving that another individual or entity was behind the criminal act.
• Showing that the prosecutors have insufficient evidence to convict a defendant for the alleged offense, which may be accomplished by carefully picking apart all the evidence obtained in the case.

When Should You Consult North Hollywood Internet Lawyers to Begin Building a Strong Defense?

As soon as charges are filed, you want to contact criminal defense lawyers in an effort to achieve early intervention in your criminal case. The sooner you reach out to an experienced legal professional, the better your chances of challenging the prosecutor’s claims and avoiding harsh penalties like federal or state prison.

Essentially, if you are asking yourself whether it is time to contact a criminal defense attorney to discuss your internet crime case, the answer is simple: now. You contact them now.

We understand that entrusting your case to unknown parties, even if they are legal professionals, can be a daunting proposition. We want to assure you that every case review with our legal team is confidential, and no details you share during the consultation will be disclosed to the prosecution.

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Cybercrime Conviction?

Those facing criminal charges for internet crimes face several potential consequences if convicted, including the possibility of several years behind bars, registration as a sex offender, and more.

Potential consequences for a criminal conviction include the following:

• Costly fines, legal fees, and the possibility of restitution
• Misdemeanor or felony charges
• County jail time or prison sentences
• Probation 
• Community service orders
• Sex offender registration
• A criminal record that could alter your personal and professional opportunities for the rest of your life
• And more

Contact Our Southern California Law Firm to Request a Free Legal Consultation with Our Experienced Internet Crime Attorneys Today

Have you or a loved one been accused of committing an internet crime? It is crucial that you seek professional legal guidance from experienced attorneys well-versed in these cases. Our legal team has years of experience representing clients in these and other areas of criminal law. As your legal representatives, we will investigate the facts, gather useful evidence, work with expert witnesses, and explore all potential options to help you achieve the optimal outcome in your case.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal counsel, please contact our law office to schedule your free consultation today. You can reach us at 818-495-8330.