At Chambers Law Firm, we feel confident saying that there’s nothing that’s changed the world so much in the last few decades as the internet. While it’s brought a lot of convenience to our lives, it’s also led to some potential legal situations that you may not have thought of. Here are eight ways you could be violating federal law when you’re using the internet.
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Identify theft
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Copyright infringement
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Child pornography
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Non-delivery of merchandise
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Hacking
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Drug trafficking
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Blackmail
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Criminal threats
The legal definition of the term “SPAM,” which most people understand to mean junk e-mail, is very complicated. It is technically possible that you could send an email to someone requesting money, and if that person is located in another state, you could be charged with identify theft if the person in question feels you were trying to defraud them.
Do you download music, movies, or other media? If you do, you could be charged with criminal copyright infringement. The penalty? Up to five years in federal prison.
It is not only illegal to send any type of visual depiction of a minor engaged in any type of sexual activity, but it’s also illegal to receive it. The penalty could be up to 20 years in prison.
If you’re like most people, you’ve sold something on the internet once or twice in your life. If you do so and collect payment, but don’t deliver the item, you could be charged with non-delivery of merchandise. The penalty is up to 20 years in prison.
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act considers it a crime if you hack into a person’s computer or email for gain, to destruct it, or for other reasons associated with any type of crime.
Even a drug dealer who thinks they’re leaving no trail can often be traced back to their home if they’re selling drugs on the internet. Not only will they be charged with possession, but they could be charged with drug trafficking – which is punishable by life in prison.
Federal law defines blackmail as not informing authorities that a person has committed a crime and requiring payment from them to continue to not report it. It is punishable by up to a year in prison and a conviction these days often includes an email trail.
Federal law makes it a crime to use any means of “interstate commerce” to threaten another person. That includes the phone, internet, and mail. Five years in prison is the maximum sentence for a federal charge of criminal threats.
Have you been charged with an internet crime? If so, you need a criminal defense attorney on your side. Contact Chambers Law Firm today by calling 714-760-4088. We are here to provide a free legal consultation and help ensure your rights are fought for.
