The internet is everything to us in this modern age. It can be a playground, a place to conduct business or a place to learn and grow. However, it is also a place where crimes can occur, and many criminal charges involving the internet are serious offenses under state and federal legal codes. Facing these charges can be an intimidating experience, but you don’t have to do it alone. A knowledgeable defense attorney can help you fight your criminal charges in court. When you are ready to talk to an internet crime lawyer about your legal options as a defendant, contact the attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter to discuss your case.
While some types of crimes are specific to the realm of the internet, the online world is also a place where old crimes are getting a new makeover. A wide range of crimes that once took place only in person, via phone or via mail is now being conducted online as well. Here are some examples of common internet crimes:
Phishing is a crime that is relatively new to the law books, and it is defined as an act of identity theft conducted via the internet wherein a party deceives another party into providing personal data. Fines and jail or prison terms (up to 10,000 dollars and up to 3 years in a state correctional facility for a felony charge) are potential punishments for this crime if convicted. Depending on certain factors pertaining to the alleged crime, someone charged with phishing could also face a stack of multiple related charges, including theft or fraud.
Hacking is the act of accessing, downloading or otherwise altering computer or network data without being given express permission to do so. This is a crime under both state and federal statutes. Section 502 of the California Penal Code states that hacking is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it could be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony charge, depending on the monetary value assigned to the data that was accessed and altered during the alleged transaction. United States Code Title 18 Section 1030 also describes hacking as a federal crime. Regardless of whether someone charged with a hacking crime is charged at the state or federal level, fines and imprisonment are possible punishments if a conviction is reached.
If you have been accused of one of these or any other internet-related crimes, contact the criminal defense experts at Okabe and Haushalter to learn more about your options under the law.
If you need an internet crime lawyer in Marina Del Rey, the attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter can assist you. We have offices conveniently located throughout Los Angeles county ready to serve you. Our commitment to providing our clients with a stalwart defense in court has earned us a reputation of courtroom excellence, and we will use our time-tested defense strategies to reach a desirable resolution for your case. We know the California Penal Code and the United States Code, and we know how to defend against all types of criminal charges. Let us put our skills to work for you. Call or click today for a free case assessment.
