Cybercrime Defense
The state of California is a primary source of cybercrimes in the United States, which is also commonly known as “internet fraud.” Local prosecutors are often aggressive in their pursuit of filing charges against anyone suspected of committing internet fraud cases.
Many District Attorney Offices have specialized units for investigating and bringing criminal charges in cybercrime cases.
The term “cybercrime” is broad and describes many state or federal-related crimes committed over the internet.
Most crimes in California are prosecuted under state laws, but some severe felony cases are often charged as federal offenses. The most common forms of cybercrimes include:
- identity theft, which is stealing someone's personal information for fraudulent purposes;
- credit card fraud, which means stealing someone's credit or debit card or the information to receive goods or services frequently;
- child pornography which includes the distribution and downloading of child porn images and videos;
- solicitation or enticing minors, which includes online predators attempting to obtain sexual acts from a minor;
- revenge porn which is posting intimate photos of someone online without their consent as an act to get even with them.
- extortion or blackmail, which is using threats to compel another person to give them money or property;
- computer hacking or unauthorized access is accessing someone's computer with intent to defraud or commit a crime.
Using a Computer to Commit a Crime
When you talk about cybercrime, images of internet-related criminal offenses come into your head as you think about it.
Cybercrime is using a computer to commit a crime, which goes back to the invention of computers and people getting on the internet. There are various ways that people can get involved in cyber-related criminal offenses.
Sometimes, there are ways you may not even think of. The crime could be something else, but because the computer is used, the authorities can classify it as cybercrime.
That's often a big problem, especially in federal cases, because the federal government is very viscous when it comes to cybercrimes. It has different types of offenses and enhancements to boost somebody's time in federal prison.
Common federal cybercrimes include the following:
18 U.S.C. 2422 – coercing or enticing minors,
18 U.S.C. 2253 – child pornography,
18 U.S.C. 1028 – identity theft,
18 U.S.C. 1030 – computer hacking,
18 U.S.C. 1951 – blackmail and extortion,
Penalties for a cybercrime conviction
Of course, 85% of federal criminal time is served, which could be severe punishment, depending on what happens.
I'm talking about how using a computer to commit a crime is an enhancement.
Depending on the amount of loss, the more time you have, the better. If it involves multiple victims, it can take more time.
Criminal Investigation of Cybercrimes
These cybercrimes are typically sophisticated in how they are prosecuted and investigated by law enforcement, which is also refined.
You typically have some of the toughest prosecutors of the toughest law enforcement agencies dealing with these cases, so they will allocate some manpower to them.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will investigate most federal cybercrime cases.
They'll use search warrants, wiretaps, and GPS tracking devices.
They will use whatever they have because many of these cybercrimes cannot be investigated by state authorities. After all, they lack the resources or workforce to do so.
Once they stumble upon a cyber scheme, they typically investigate it.
However, if it seems complicated and somebody is truly committing a crime and a lot of money is involved, they'll turn the case over to the federal government.
Then, agencies like the FBI, Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and a host of other federal agencies will jump on these cybercrime cases.
How Can I Fight Cybercrime Charges?
What you're going to need to do is hire an attorney who has a lot of experience.
I've been handling cybercrimes since the internet was born. I've also been a criminal defense attorney for almost 30 years in Los Angeles County, where my main office is based.
However, I've traveled nationwide defending people charged with cybercrimes and other computer-related offenses.
I know what it takes to win the case, and I know what it takes to mitigate the case when the government has the goods against you and is going to be able to prove the case.
Some of the most common defenses we can use against Internet fraud-related cases include the following:
- lack of criminal intent,
- lack of knowledge,
- illegal search and seizure,
- entrapment by police,
- mistaken identity,
- false allegation.
We will ensure that you preserve your rights against self-incrimination and unreasonable search and seizure by police.
Your constitutional rights also apply to cybercrime cases and any other criminal proceeding.
Next Step in Your Cybercrime Defense
Cybercrime charges are serious and carry severe penalties if you are convicted. You must retain the best criminal defense lawyer with the expertise to fight these charges.
We can negotiate with the prosecutor for lesser charges or even a case dismissal through prefiling intervention.
So, if you're looking for the best defense related to cybercrime, you've come to the right place. Pick up the phone. Take the first step. Ask for a meeting with Ronald Hedding.
I can meet many people over the phone if that's more convenient for you, but I always like to meet people face to face if I can so they can get a feel for their attorney and what I'm going to do to help them.
