SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Orange County Internet Crimes Defense Attorney        (714) 677-4141    

 Los Angeles Internet Crimes Defense Lawyer                (213) 215-0135

Basically, any crime committed by, through, or using the internet is an internet crime. This field is rather new and very quickly growing due to the advent of modern internet technology. Virtually any crime, from harassment to fraud and identity theft, can occur over or using the internet.

Given the fact that so much business and financial transactions are completed using computers and the internet, internet crime rates are on the rise and state and federal law enforcement agencies are working very hard to locate and stop these illegal activities.

Common Internet Crimes include (but are not limited to) phishing, cyber stalking, online solicitation, internet gambling, internet auction fraud, credit and debit card fraud, click and search engine fraud, child pornography, work-at home schemes, spamming, hacking and computer sabotage are all common internet crimes. Thus illegal distribution of music, circulating pre-released copyrighted materials, internet narcotics sales or posing as a reputable company to obtain customers’ financial or personal information or illegal mass emailing are forms of internet crimes which can put you in a position of conflict at law.  

California Penal Code Section 502 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to expand the degree of protection afforded to individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies from tampering, interference, damage, and unauthorized access to lawfully created computer data and computer systems.  The Legislature finds and declares that the proliferation of computer technology has resulted in a concomitant proliferation of computer crime and other forms of unauthorized access to computers, computer systems, and computer data. The Legislature further finds and declares that protection of the integrity of all types and forms of lawfully created computers, computer systems, and computer data is vital to the protection of the privacy of individuals as well as to the well-being of financial institutions, business concerns, governmental agencies, and others within this state that lawfully utilize those computers, computer systems, and data.

Hacking prohibited - California Penal Code Section 502 (c) Except as provided in subdivision (h), any person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a public offense:(1) Knowingly accesses and without permission alters, damages, deletes, destroys, or otherwise uses any data, computer, computer system, or computer network in order to either (A) devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud, deceive, or extort, or (B) wrongfully control or obtain money, property, or data. (2) Knowingly accesses and without permission takes, copies, or makes use of any data from a computer, computer system, or computer network, or takes or copies any supporting documentation, whether existing or residing internal or external to a computer, computer system, or computer network.

Hacking may be charged either as a MISDEMEANOR or a FELONY. A misdemeanor charge is punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to 1 year in county jail whereas a felony charge can carry a fine of up to $10,000 and a state prison sentence of up to 3 years.

Internet crimes include any illegal activity involving websites, chat rooms, and/or email. This new area of the law can involve the FBI and federal prosecutors because it is very easy and common that many internet related crimes occur beyond state and national borders.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime for the appropriate federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for criminal, civil, or administrative action, as appropriate.

Contact the attorney who can make a difference in YOUR case. If you, a friend or a loved one is charged with an internet related crime in Los Angeles County, or facing internet crime charges in Orange County, don’t hesitate, pick up the phone and call our office immediately, your call is FREE!  

We can resolve your conflict at law with our familiarity with your local Court and District Attorney.

For a free consultation, contact our office or fill out our contact form: