Fort Worth Computer Crimes Lawyer

Work with an experienced Fort Worth cybercrime attorney by calling our office today. We can devise a strong defense against a computer or internet crime conviction.

Computers and the internet have changed the world for the better in so many ways. We can thank this technology for easier communications and the unlimited knowledge that is now at our fingertips. However, computers and the internet have also made the world worse in a few ways.

Criminal activity that takes place online is now easier and more anonymous, and cybercrime has blossomed as a result. With this new problem has come a crackdown on cybercrime, but sometimes that increased law enforcement pressure falls unfairly on people like you.

Being charged with a computer or cybercrime is just as serious as being charged with any other crime. Many people don’t fully understand the laws surrounding computers and the internet, and sometimes they unknowingly engage in criminal behavior online.

If you’ve been charged with a computer or cybercrime, call a Fort Worth computer crimes lawyer at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy. We can help you make sense of your charges and formulate a strong defense to keep you from suffering the worst penalties of a conviction.

Types of Computer Crimes in Texas

There are many ways you can commit—or be accused of committing—a computer or internet-related crime. Many people believe that they can engage in certain illegal behaviors online, such as identity theft, because everything is anonymous and they won’t get caught. Many are caught, however.

Many police forces now employ individuals devoted to fighting cybercrimes, resulting in an increase in charges and convictions for these offenses. If you’ve been accused of a cybercrime, it’s important not to panic. An experienced Fort Worth computer crime lawyer can help prove your innocence or fight your charges.

Here are some of the different types of computer crimes you could be charged with in the state of Texas:

• Cyberstalking
• Phishing scams
• Identity theft
• Internet fraud
• Fraudulent investment schemes
• Gambling violations
• Copyright and trademark infringement, including piracy
• Computer intrusion
• Major cyber-fraud

Penalties for Computer Crimes in Fort Worth

Penalties for computer crimes range widely and depend on the nature of the crime, whether you have a history of this sort of behavior, and the seriousness of your particular case. Another reason the penalty imposed could be increased is the monetary value of what the victim allegedly lost.

We have outlined a few examples of computer crimes and punishments below:

• Breach of Security – This is the act of gaining access to a computer or network without the owner’s consent. A conviction could be a Class B misdemeanor or a first-degree felony. The penalties range from up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $2,000 all the way to between five and ninety-nine years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Tampering with a Voting Machine – This crime is considered a first-degree felony and can receive a penalty of between five and ninety-nine years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Online Harassment – This crime is often charged as a third-degree felony; however, depending on intent, the charge can also be a Class A misdemeanor. The misdemeanor charge can be penalized by not more than one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Keep in mind that laws are constantly changing regarding computer and internet crimes. To make sure you’re up to date on the current laws, punishments, and defenses, contact a criminal defense lawyer with experience in cybercrimes in Fort Worth.

Defenses Against Conviction

As with all crimes, a charge alone doesn’t make you guilty. Many people are charged with crimes and later found innocent, or the charges are dropped before the case ever makes it to trial. So don’t lose heart if you’ve been charged with a Fort Worth computer crime. Still, you shouldn’t speak with anyone until you’ve spoken with an attorney.

Your attorney, upon learning all the details surrounding your case, can form a defense that will best serve you. We can also look at previous offenses, or lack thereof, to argue mitigating circumstances. Below, you will find a few examples of possible defenses your cybercrime lawyer can use to protect you against conviction.

• It Wasn’t You – Because computers have become so accessible and easy to move from place to place, and because many people have more than one device, it’s not uncommon for more than one person to use a device. It could be argued that someone in your home or someone who had access to your device used it to commit a crime.
• You’re an Authorized Employee – Sometimes, if you work for certain companies, the computer or network owner will grant access for you to provide certain services. This can be a defense if you were later accused of breaching security.
• You Didn’t Know – The anonymous nature and frequency of internet scams can sometimes rope unwitting participants in. As a result, these participants who didn’t know they were breaking the law could be charged with a computer crime in Fort Worth.
• You Were Forced – In some cases, those who have committed computer crimes were forced or manipulated into doing so. That can be the basis for a strong defense against your charges.

Speak with a Fort Worth Computer Crimes Attorney

Just remember: Simply being charged with a computer crime or cybercrime doesn’t equal a conviction. The state of Texas still has a long way to go to prove that you committed an offense.

When you work with an experienced cybercrimes attorney, you increase your chance of having your case thrown out, getting your charges reduced, or being acquitted if your case goes to trial.

Hire a knowledgeable Fort Worth computer crimes lawyer with the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy today. We offer a free consultation, so you’ve got nothing to lose by giving us a call at 817-605-1010. You can also get in touch by completing the online contact form below.