Okabe & Haushalter
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Call Today! 310-543-7708
Okabe & Haushalter

Los Angeles Computer Crimes Lawyer

Los Angeles Computer Crimes Attorney

Defense Against Online Crimes

Computer crime also referred to as cybercrime, is known as any crime involving a computer or a network. If you or someone you know has been accused of any type of computer-related crime, it is absolutely imperative to consult with a Los Angeles defense lawyer well-versed in all aspects of criminal law, and especially those pertaining to computer crimes.

Common Cybercrimes

With the ever-changing world of technology continuously expanding, crimes on computers have become more and more frequent. Computer crimes can include the following offenses:

The internet has changed the way crime is conducted and therefore what is considered an internet crime can vary from year to year. What was previously not considered a crime can now be a crime. Phishing and identity theft are crimes that cover using email as a way to obtain sensitive information such as credit card information or social security numbers. You may be in a business where you are selling a product and need to collect personal information to do so. This can be a way that you can mistakenly be charged with a computer crime.

Child pornography can sound like an inconceivable and unforgivable offense but chances are you may have mistakenly accessed this information. There are many people on the internet who try to trap others into committing crimes without their knowledge. There may be cases where child pornography was accessed and a Los Angeles computer crimes attorney can build a defense against this.

Internet Fraud

There is another subset of computer crimes that are considered internet fraud. These crimes can be conducted in person, over the phone, or through the mail. Being charged with a computer crime can lead to a plethora of changes in your life and you may even be facing jail time. Internet fraud is very specific and is typically done intentionally. This can make them more difficult to fight unless you have the right Los Angeles computer crimes attorney by your side. These crimes are as follows:

  • Advance fee fraud: this consists of posting an internet classified ad with crazy good deals on typically very expensive items. The catch is that the person will simply need to pay the shipping costs. The person who sells the item never contacts the buyer and never sends the item.
  • Work at home scams: a company, typically a fake one will offer a job where you stay at home but the applicant will need to pay a registration fee before they begin working. After they obtain this fee, the applicant finds out that the job and company are not real.
  • Non-delivery merchandise fraud: buying things online has become the norm and many scammers have taken advantage of this. With this particular fraud, a customer will pay for a product using a wire transfer that is sent to a foreign bank account. The merchandise is never sent and the seller will typically disappear and pull the same scam on another person.
  • Prize and lottery scams: these scams are the ones you may hear about the most. This is where you get an email or other communication saying that you have won the lottery or another prize all you have to do is pay the taxes on it. Once a fee is paid it will be revealed that there was no prize, to begin with.

These are very specific and niche internet crimes that typically have complex defenses. The key is to always contact a Los Angeles computer crimes attorney that is well-versed on the topic and can guide you on what your options and possible outcomes can be.

Possible Penalties For Computer Crimes In California

There are a range of penalties that a person can face if they are charged with and convicted of a computer crime in Los Angeles or throughout California. At Okabe & Haushalter, our computer crimes defense attorneys want you to know that the penalties for these charges depend on the exact type of action that was allegedly taken by the defendant as well as the amount of any funds that were stolen or gained as a result of the alleged criminal activity.

  • As an example of a felony offense in California, felony computer fraud is punishable by up to 16 months, two years, or three years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines.
  • A computer crime that is deemed a misdemeanor in California could result in a punishment of up to one year in county jail and/or fines of up to $5,000.

However, there are additional penalties that those convicted of a computer crime need to be aware of. A guilty conviction of a computer crime charge could make it very difficult for a person to gain employment, specifically for any job that involves computer and internet access or access to valuable personal information. Criminal charges could also make it difficult for a person to attend a school or find housing.

We do want to point out that a person convicted of a computer crime related to a sexual offense (possession or production of child pornography, trafficking, etc.) will likely be required to register as a sex offender if they are found guilty.

How Will An Attorney Help Your Case?

The Los Angeles computer crimes defense attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter have extensive experience helping clients handle these cases. We have the resources and legal expertise necessary to help you through this entire process. Prosecutors need to prove that the defendant (our client) actually committed the crimes they have been accused of.

Our attorneys will use the resources we have at our disposal to formulate a full-fledged defense on your behalf. We understand that accidental access to information online occurs all the time, particularly when a person is using a company or shared computer. This could also be perceived as attempted fraud, even if the act committed was truly harmless. Our attorneys also want you to be aware that prosecutors will bring as many charges as possible and as many counts of each charge as they can in order to increase their leverage over you in the case. A skilled defense attorney will work to get any unnecessary or duplicative charges dismissed.

Some of the possible defenses that we can apply to your computer crimes case in California include the following:

  • You lacked the intent to commit a crime
  • You have been a victim of mistaken identity
  • You made a legitimate mistake
  • You had a legitimate use for the material or property taken
  • You were entrapped by law enforcement officials

Enlist Powerful Defense For Your Case

Despite how intimidating your charges may appear, it is absolutely crucial to your future to secure legal representation at once. Here at Okabe & Haushalter, our legal team has spent years defending individuals accused of an array of criminal offenses, including forgery, white collar crimes, bribery, insider trading, consumer fraud, public corruption, and computer crimes.

As a sound law firm, we eagerly await your call and cannot wait to help you through this difficult time. Dealing with clients who have been charged with a variety of crimes on a daily basis, our office is ready for any challenge the law is prepared to throw at us. We have kept up-to-date knowledge on all of the current laws and regulations, and any changes that have been made to the law.

With a multitude of crimes that can be committed on a computer, it is extremely important to speak with a seasoned criminal defense attorney from our firm. We may be your only key to freedom, so take advantage of our intimate knowledge of the law today.

Contact a lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter immediately if you are facing charges related to computer crime.

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