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Types of Computer Crimes
- Internet Child Pornography – Producing, possessing, or distributing images of minors (anyone under the age of 18) engaged in sexual conduct is illegal in California.
- California Child Pornography – According to California Penal Code § 311, this California Law is aimed at stopping the flow of child pornography, which can be easily accomplished today by means of the Internet.
- Sexual Exploitation of Child – According to California Penal Code § 311.3, California Law makes it illegal to duplicate, print, or exchange an image or photo of a minor engaged in sexual conduct.
- Crimes on the Internet Against A Child – In California, it is illegal for an adult to contact or attempt to contact a minor on the Internet for the purpose of either luring the child away from the child’s home without the consent of parent or guardian or for any type of sexual gratification or commission of a sexual crime.
- Identity Theft and Fraud – Identity Theft is committed when someone else’s personal information is fraudulently obtained and used by another for illegal purposes. According to California Penal Code § 530.5, Identity Theft is a felony and, if convicted, could result in serious jail or prison time.
Identity Theft | Identity Fraud
Examples of Web Cybercrimes
- Spoofing – When an email appears to be from a legitimate company or website, but the link sends the victim to a fraudulent site;
- Phishing Scams – The end result of spoof emails is to get the victim to enter personal information such as credit card numbers, passwords, bank account, and Social Security numbers;
- Credit Card and Bank Account Fraud – When someone else’s credit card or debit card is used for unauthorized purchases;
- Computer Intrusions | Computer Hacking – When an Internet user exploits an online computer system or gains unauthorized access to a website through skill and unlawful tactics.
- Cyber Stalking – Simply stated, Cyberstalking is Stalking on the Internet! According to California Penal Code § 646.9, Stalking can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Cyberstalking includes:
- Sending unwanted e-mails to a victim;
- Impersonating the victim in chat rooms;
- Spreading untruths on the Internet about the victim;
- Harassing and making credible threats to another that puts them in fear for their safety.
- Annoying E-Mails and Telephone Calls – In California, it is illegal for any person to make threatening, harassing, annoying, and repeated phone calls. This law now applies to e-mails, as well. According to California Penal Code § 653m, this crime is charged as a misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail.
- Internet Auction Fraud or Non-Delivery of Merchandise – When someone uses an Internet auction site like eBay to sell an item online but doesn’t deliver the item when sold.
- Internet Investment Fraud – When an online investment site entices people to invest in a fictitious company. One type of investment fraud is called a Ponzi | Pyramid scheme or an advance fee fraud, where people are promised high profits from fictitious sources and early investors are paid off with funds raised from later ones. Soon there aren’t enough returns to go around, and the whole scheme collapses.
- Communications Fraud – This is when Internet services such as wireless, satellite, or landline services are used without payment, or unauthorized sharing of copyrighted property like movies and music is done through peer-to-peer software.
- Sex Crimes on the Internet (or those of sexual nature) – Law enforcement has begun launching “sting operations”, especially in California, in an effort to lure sexual predators. Being arrested in a sting operation could result in serious charges, such as attempted child molestation. The defense of entrapment is not a likely defense to these types of criminal charges.
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YOUR
ATTORNEY IS
YOUR BEST DEFENSE
Obtaining a skilled
and experienced Internet crime attorney
who will fight for you is the first step
toward protecting yourself from a cybercrime
charge. An effective criminal defense
attorney such as Stephen G. Rodriguez &
Associates can negotiate dismissal or reduction
of the charges and keep you out of jail.
Contact
us for a free evaluation of your
case. We know how to get the best
results for you!
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COMPUTER
CRIME
Internet
● Cyber
● Web
Fraud ●
Identity Theft
Child Sex & Pornography Law
Los
Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
California
Criminal Lawyer
Internet
Crime Law
Law
enforcement has identified computer
crimes (web or cyber crimes)
as one of the greatest challenges of
the 21st century! From child
pornography and sex
crimes to Internet
theft and computer
fraud, prosecutors and investigators
are aggressively confronting all
types of computer and web crimes
by creating special cyber crime
units to keep California Internet
crime at bay. These cyber
crime units work with local, state,
and federal law enforcement agencies
to prosecute all types of computer
crimes, including:
- Internet
Pornography
- Computer
Crimes against a Child
- Internet
Sex Crimes
- Identity
Theft
- Internet
Fraud
- Computer
Hacking
- Stalking
(Cyberstalking)
Computer
Crime Statistics
The United States is home base for 78% of Internet-related crimes. 10% of all Internet and computer crimes in the U.S. are committed in California. The California Penal Code is being changed often to address the growth of Internet crime. Given the numerous types of computer crimes covered by California Law, only the most common Internet crimes on the Web have been included here. The Internet crosses state lines, which means that certain types of cyber or Web crimes often trigger federal statutes and are covered under Federal Law.
Internet
Fraud Law
Internet fraud law is a relatively new field and there are few standards and precedents upon which to build your case. Victims of computer crimes often report Web-related offenses to different agencies, resulting in several Internet fraud charges against the defendant. You may be charged with one Internet fraud crime (Identity Theft) or a number of fraudulent cyber crimes, all based on your unlawful actions on the Web that led to your arrest.
Internet Fraud
Example of Charges
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Unlike crimes committed in person, many computer users, including the authorities, can view your online activities. When Internet fraud has been committed, it can be easily traced back to you. It is important that you contact an experienced Internet Crime Attorney, such as Stephen G. Rodriguez, who deals exclusively with California criminal defense and Web crimes.
Arrest
for Cyber Crimes
Conviction of Internet and computer crimes comes with very serious consequences. Computer and Internet crime penalties can range from:
- Jail / State Prison
- Federal Prison
- Probation
- Fines
- Restitution (paying back any funds taken)
- Loss of employment (for those with licenses or security clearances)
Other
Penalty Considerations
For final sentencing other factors are considered, such as your:
- Criminal history
- Prior convictions
- Current criminal status, including probation or parole
Internet
Crime Attorney
As an exprienced los
angeles criminal defense attorney
Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates
understand accusations and convictions
of an Internet crime and how they can
affect the rest of your life.
There are several advantages to contacting
us early in the process, including:
- Early preparation and investigation of all the facts of your case
- Early identification and interviewing of witnesses
- Statements from victim(s) by way of your investigator
- Preparation of a vigorous defense including contacting the prosecutor’s office prior to the formal filing of the criminal case
- Eliminating bail requirements and preparing motions for Own Recognizance (OR) status
- Preparing a private lie detector test to defend our claim
- Preparing letters of reference, character, or support
- Preparing all formal motions for dismissal of the case
- Having an evaluation report by a psychologist to show that counseling may be a better alternative to jail
- Investigating and exploring alternatives to jail such as house arrest or electronic monitoring
Criminal
Defense Attorney Stephen G. Rodriguez
& Associates are available 24-7
to assist you. Please contact
the firm immediately to discuss
the facts of your case only
if you are being accused of any form
of computer crime or identity theft
in the Los Angeles area.
Law
Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez
633 West 5th Street
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Telephone
(213) 223-2173
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Copyright
2005-2009 Stephen G. Rodriguez All rights
reserved.