Can You Be Charged With A Crime Online?
ShareThe Internet still feels like the wild west at times. While it may seem this way, the law does not necessarily feel this way. In fact, you could be charged with a crime you are accused of committing online. This can be serious, and you need to know what you are up against.
Are you accused of an online crime? These are some things you need to know.
What Are Online Crimes?
There are many offenses you could be charged with that link to the web. In fact, there are many crimes that are still in their early days of becoming laws thanks to the changing scope of the web.
For example, you could be charged with piracy, illegally downloading movies, or music. While many people do not realize their actions are being tracked online, an online service provider could still determine that you may have downloaded a film online.
Sex crimes can also be associated with the Internet. Sex crimes can include anything from sex work to soliciting a child on the web. These are serious crimes that you could face severe consequences for engaging in.
Fraud can also be committed online, and credit card theft is not an uncommon circumstance. If you are accused of stealing bank account information or credit card numbers, you could face charges.
Then, there are also charges that stem from harassment or cyberstalking. Laws regarding harassment and stalking are relatively new on the Internet, but you could face a variety of charges that could impact the rest of your life negatively.
What Punishment Could You Face?
The punishment you face will depend on the specific charge you are facing. For example, you may face mere fines for a piracy charge, but a sex crime conviction could lead you to spend the rest of your life on a sex offender registry. The punishments and other specifics vary from state to state as well, which is why having an attorney is a good idea.
Should You Consult With a Criminal Defense Attorney?
A criminal defense attorney can help you move forward with your case in a productive way. You are advised to work with an attorney so that you can work toward a strong criminal defense. Without an attorney, you may not have the defense that you deserve, and you may not realize that your rights are being violated. Consult with an attorney today to learn more.