Over the past two decades, the internet has become a cornerstone in our daily lives—at work, at home, and on the go through mobile electronic devices. From online gambling and illegal piracy, to fraud and child pornography, internet crime encompasses a wide variety of unlawful activities conducted via the web. Laws regarding illegal internet activities have had to be created, supported and passed, in order to keep up with the explosion in online crimes. The laws continue to change, day by day. Thus if you’ve been charged with an internet crime, you’re going to need an experienced and aggressive San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney who stays at the forefront of this ever evolving area of the law.
Because internet crimes can range from online piracy to serious sexual offenses like child pornography, it is of utmost important that your attorney is well versed in the broad range of charges that are possible in Internet crime. If you or a loved one has been accused or charged with an offense that falls under the scope of internet crime in San Diego County, contact the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum today for a confidential, free consultation.
What are some examples of internet crime?
In the state of California, including San Diego County there are various crimes that qualify as an internet or computer crime. They include:
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- Child pornography
- Hacking
- Identity theft
- Online credit card fraud
- Online gambling
- Online intellectual property theft
- Online pharmacy fraud
- Piracy or illegal downloading
- Solicitation via the internet
Online identity theft defense in San Diego
In the digital age, online identity theft is an increasingly common problem. According to California Penal Code Section 530, identity theft is defined as any individual intentionally stealing or unlawfully obtaining personally identifying information belonging to another individual—such as credit card information, social security number information, online banking details, or otherwise.
Today the majority of identity theft cases result from online theft. What is particularly critical to know when it comes to defending yourself against charges of online identity theft in San Diego is that each identifying item that is unlawfully obtained is counted as its own charge. For example: should an individual obtain another person’s social security number through online snooping or hacking, and then also obtain that person’s online banking information, those will be charged as two separate countsof identity theft. With each charge made, the punishment for identity theft increases.
Online identity theft is a felony. In San Diego, the potential penalties for felony identity theft online include:
- Parole
- Probation
- Restitution to the victims of the identity theft
- Significant court fees and fines
- Up to three years in a state prison
The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 was created to regulate acts of online identity theft by making sentences harsher and ensuring that those charged with online identity theft would face felony charges. Under the law, some penalties for online identity could carry sentences up to 25 years in federal prison.
Online Solicitation Criminal Charges in San Diego
Being charged with online solicitation of a minor is a major offense in San Diego that follows you throughout your lifetime, not to mention that the sentences and penalties for these crimes are particularly harsh and extensive. An experienced San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney is your best hope for acquittal, or reduction of charges, if you’ve been charged with this type of online/internet crime.
Sometimes, individuals face online solicitation charges when they never intended to commit the crime in the first place. Because of the seeming anonymity of the internet and the complexities of internet law, many fall into legal traps that go on to negatively impact their life forever. Again you absolutely need an ally and an advocate who is experienced in internet crime defense law, in order to help you navigate through this awful misunderstanding.
If you or a loved one has been charged with online solicitation of a minor in San Diego, the best way to protect your rights and freedom is to secure a reputable, respected Criminal Defense attorney who understands the intricate and ever-changing policies of internet law and who will aggressively and skillfully advocate on your behalf.
Defense of Online Solicitation Charges in San Diego County
It is not uncommon for police to perform sting operations in order to lure potential online solicitors and charge them for solicitation of a minor. When police conduct operations such as these, it is entirely possible that your rights were violated in the process.
Some common and successful defenses of internet crime charges in San Diego regarding the online solicitation of a minor include:
- Entrapment by law enforcement
This means that the alleged perpetrator would not have committed the act if the law enforcement authority had not coerced or harassed the alleged perpetrator into committing the crime.
- Good faith belief of age
The defendant and their counsel prove that there was reasonable and believable evidence that he or she believed the minor in question to have been of legal age.
There are many more forms of internet crime, including child pornography, fraud, piracy, and several others. Each type of internet crime comes with its own sets of charges, penalties, punishments, defenses, possibly public humiliation, and set of corresponding laws. Having a skilled and experienced internet crimes attorney in San Diego fiercely fighting to protect your rights is the best person to have on your side, should you or a loved one be accused of or charged with internet crimes in Southern California
To discuss the unique details of your particular case with a peer-awarded and nationally recognized San Diego based internet crime defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum today and receive a free, no-commitment-necessary, and confidential consultation.