The internet is everything in this day and age—playground, workplace, learning zone, and an all-around great way to kill time. However, it is also a place where crime can happen, and many crimes involving the internet are serious charges under either state or federal laws. Facing these charges can be an intimidating experience, but you don’t have to do it alone. A defense attorney can help you fight your criminal allegations in the courtroom. When you are ready to talk to an internet crime lawyer, contact the attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter to discuss your case.
While some types of crimes are unique to the internet, the online world is also a place where “old-fashioned” crimes are wearing a new, technologically advanced mask. So many criminal offenses that used to just take place in person, via phone or via mail are now being conducted online. Here are a couple of examples of common internet crimes:
Hacking—the act of accessing or altering computer data without permission—is a crime both under state and federal laws. Section 502 of the California Penal Code regards hacking as an offense that could be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the data that was transmitted during the hacking process. The United States Code Title 18 Section 1030 also makes hacking a federal offense. Whether someone accused of being a hacker is prosecuted at the state or federal level, fines and prison time could be on the line if convicted.
Identity theft used to involve criminals rummaging through wastebaskets in search of personal data or credit card information, but the internet has changed the methods—if not the crime itself. Identity theft can now be done online, and if a conviction is reached, it can lead to fines and jail or prison time (up to 10,000 dollars and up to 3 years in state prison for a felony charge). Depending on how identity theft is carried out, someone accused of this crime could also face other charges such as bank fraud or grand theft.
If you have been accused of one of these or any other internet crimes, contact a defense attorney who specializes in handling cases like yours at Okabe and Haushalter.
If you need an internet crime lawyer in Redondo Beach or anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area, contact the attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter. Our commitment to aggressively defending our clients has earned us a reputation for courtroom excellence, and we will strive to fight for a desirable outcome for your case. We know the California Penal Code inside and out and can put that knowledge to work for you. There is no cost for a case evaluation, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us to learn more about your legal options. Call today for a free consultation.
