Just a few short decades ago, internet crimes didn’t even exist. Now, they are more prevalent than ever, and it is all too easy to find yourself facing criminal charges due to a misstep made online. Old criminal charges are getting a new look as crimes like fraud and identity theft are now committed using online means more often than not. No matter what crime you have been charged with, though, you still have the right to retain defense counsel in the courtroom so you can stand up to the charges that have been leveled against you. If you have been charged with committing an online crime, you can speak to an internet crime attorney at Okabe and Haushalter. We have offices located throughout L.A. county staffed by legal experts ready to help you with your case.
Many crimes that used to take place using face-to-face interpersonal interaction, telephone calls or pen and paper are now happening online, while other crimes are specific to the “internet age.” Here are some common internet crimes from both ends of the spectrum:
If you have been accused of committing one of these or any other internet crimes, contact us for a free case evaluation.
California Penal Code Section 502 outlines various computer-related crimes such as hacking and computer virus infection. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the computer-related crime, penalties can vary. For example, if a computer was illegally accessed and data was deleted, if the dollar value of said data was less than 950 dollars the crime would be prosecuted as a misdemeanor punishable by less than one year in a local jail and a fine of up to 5,000 dollars if convicted. However, if the data was valued at greater than 950 dollars, the crime could be prosecuted as a felony, meaning the fine could be increased to 10,000 dollars and the period of incarceration could be up to 3 years in a state penitentiary if convicted.
A competent internet crime attorney can help you by being your legal advocate in court. Possible defenses depend on the individual circumstances surrounding the alleged crime, but lack of malicious intent could be argued in court. An attorney can also negotiate a plea agreement if you are facing stacked charges, which could help reduce penalties if convicted.
If you need an internet crime attorney in Palos Verdes, the experienced lawyers at Okabe and Haushalter can help. We are well-versed in state and federal laws pertaining to internet and computer crimes, and we can advocate for you in the court of law. Our reputation for courtroom excellence has been proven again and again by the solid results we get for our clients’ cases. Let us help you fight your criminal charges, and together we can work toward a resolution for your case that will let you get your life back on track. Call today for a free consultation.
