Cybercrime is sometimes known as computer crime or network crime. All of these words are used to describe crimes that involve a computer network. Those convicted of federal technology violations face high fines and lengthy jail sentences. Without the help of an expert cybercrime lawyer, the federal cybercrime statutes include a wide range of violations and can be difficult to comprehend.
Having a basic awareness of the different sorts of cybercrimes and the potential implications of being charged with a federal cybercrime is a smart place to start when considering your defense options. At Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088, we can help you fight these and other federal charges.
Cybercrimes are often federal crimes
Because cybercrimes, by their very nature, involve the internet, they usually rise to the level of a federal criminal violation. Because the internet is used to engage in activities that influence interstate or international trade, the federal government may be engaged in enacting legislation and punishing violators. If, on the other hand, the extent of the illegal behavior using a computer was limited to a single state, the violation would have to be prosecuted purely at the state level.
Examples of cybercrime
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), targets computer-related fraud charges. While this legislation covers a wide range of cyber conduct, there are certain illegal behaviors involving computers that go between the gaps and are punished under other fraud statutes.
- Obtaining Information on National Security
- Trespassing in a Government Computer by gaining access to a computer and obtaining information
- Using a computer to defraud and get valuable information
- Intentional damage caused by reckless access
- Intentional access causes negligent damage and loss
- Password smuggling
- Computer-involved extortion
The CFAA also covers conspiracy to do or try to commit any of the aforementioned federal cybercrime charges, and they are subject to the same criminal penalties as those listed below. If you are being investigated for, or have been charged with, one of the offenses listed above, you should get legal advice as soon as possible.
The statue of limitations on these crimes is generally five years
The statute of limitations for prosecuting a federal cyber offense is five years from the date of the unlawful behavior. This is true regardless of the sort of cybercrime involved. This means that if the federal government waits more than five years to indict someone who is accused of computer fraud, the indictment may be dropped. If you find yourself in this situation, call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for help.
You could face decades in prison for a federal cybercrime conviction
For those convicted of cybercrime charges, federal sentencing guidelines propose a prison term of up to 20 years. A person guilty of a crime that leads in the death of another person might be sentenced to life in prison. This is true regardless of the sort of cybercrime involved.
A first-time offender or someone who has never been convicted of a computer crime faces less severe penalties for a cybercrime conviction. For first-time offenders, federal sentencing guidelines prescribe a prison term of up to ten years. Even so, speaking with a cybercrime attorney can help you significantly lessen your criminal culpability.
Contact Chambers Law Firm now at 714-760-4088 for a consultation with an experienced federal defense attorney.
