177 N. Church Ave
Suite 312
Tucson, AZ 85701
(480) 557-7800
(520) 624-7800
(espanol)

1839 S. Alma School Road
Suite 264
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 557-7800
(520) 624-7800
(espanol)

Arizona Internet Crimes Defense Attorney

With the growing availability and widespread use of computers and the internet in the last decade, we have not surprisingly also seen a rise in the prosecution of computer and internet crimes. Law enforcement has become more knowledgeable and sophisticated about the detection of these types of crimes as well. More and more, law enforcement agencies are hiring computer experts and forensic specialists as a part of their staffs to help them uncover and prosecute these crimes, which means it’s easier for them to build a case against you now than it was several years ago. If you are being charged with a computer or internet-related crime, you should look for a criminal defense lawyer who has experience in this area, has access to the appropriate experts, and understands the technology behind the charges to ensure you get the defense you need.

What Are Computer and Internet Sex Crimes?

This is a relatively new area of the law, and since technology is constantly changing, so are the laws related to it. When looking for a lawyer, find someone who stays up-to-date on computer and internet crimes so that they have the knowledge needed to build the best strategy for your defense. Here are some examples of computer and internet crimes:

Child Pornography – This is the creation, distribution, or possession of photos, movies, digital photos, or digital movies, which contain child pornography or “kiddy porn.” These are felony charges which have mandatory minimum prison sentences. You should be aware that the State will hire forensic specialists to find data that you attempt to remove from your computer, so you can’t simply delete the evidence and expect the charges will go away. This is a serious issue that requires a knowledgeable Arizona child pornography criminal defense lawyer.

Computer and Internet theft crimes – This includes white collar crimes, internet fraud, computer fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. For example, if you sold an item on eBay but did not provide the product, you can be taken to court. You can also be charged with a computer and internet theft crime if you solicit people for pyramid scams, misleading offers to work from home, or fraudulent online investments. One possible avenue for defense that a knowledgeable Arizona cyber crimes attorney will look into in these cases is entrapment. Sometimes the undercover officers discover the crime in an illegal manner. Just like with child pornography charges, you should know that you cannot simply delete evidence from your hard drive as the State will hire forensic experts to recover the files. Several of these cyber crimes have minimum prison sentences in Arizona, so you will serve time if you are found guilty of the charges.

Solicitation of a minor for sex – This includes soliciting minors for sex in chat rooms, bulletin boards and other online locations. Often, people are caught when police officers set up chat room conversations to collect evidence against suspects. This cyber crime is taken very seriously by law enforcement and the Arizona judicial system, so if you are facing charges, you need the assistance of an experienced Arizona cyber crimes defense attorney.

Indecent exposure – This becomes a cyber crime when you are exposing yourself over the internet to a potential minor or undercover police officer posing as a minor. Other acts include masturbating or any other sexual act which does not involve actual contact with the victim. There are two main defenses that you can pursue: a false allegation and lack of lewd intent. If the victim was 15 years old or older, then this is a misdemeanor charge. If he or she is under 15, then this is a felony.

Some other types of Arizona cyber crimes include:

  • Hacking
  • Phishing
  • Spoofing
  • Using Zombie Networks
  • Malware
  • Crimeware
  • Email Worm
  • Illegal Online Impersonation
  • Submitting False Claims
  • Illegal Downloading
  • False or Incomplete Internet Transactions
  • Computer Hacking

Child Pornography Crimes and Other Cyber Offenses Are Serious Issues

The creation, distribution or mere possession of child pornography is a very serious crime, so if you are being questioned, are arrested, or are under suspicion, you need to call a knowledgeable Arizona criminal defense lawyer with specific experience in defending child porn cases as soon as possible. Internet and computer law can be very complicated since technology is constantly evolving. You want an Arizona criminal defense attorney with the experience and knowledge needed to build a strong defense for your case.

If you are charged with or are under investigation for a child pornography or other internet or computer crime, it is recommended that you call an Arizona sex crimes lawyer as soon as possible.

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