Urbana Internet Crimes Lawyer
Today, the internet allows people to do just about anything they want. You can shop, pay your bills, connect with friends, and conduct business. Most people access the Internet several times a day to do one or more of these things. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of the Internet and use it to commit crimes. Internet crimes have been increasing at an alarming rate for the past two decades, pushing legislators in Illinois and across the country to enact extremely harsh laws. These laws not only target offenders in their operation but innocent people, too.
If you have been charged with an internet crime, you are facing serious consequences if you are convicted. Our Urbana internet crimes lawyer can help you avoid them.
Common Internet Crimes in Urbana
Given the vast amount of information available online, a person can be charged with several different internet crimes. Some offenses are more common than others, though. These are as follows:
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Identity theft: The internet has made it much easier for people to access the personal information of others. Often, government agencies and huge corporations are the victims of these attacks, which has caused harsh government crackdowns that have led to many innocent people being accused of this offense.
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Sex crimes: Internet sex crimes refer to many different offenses but generally speaking, they involve using the internet to commit a crime. Common internet sex crimes include possession and distribution of child pornography, solicitation, solicitation of a minor, and revenge porn.
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Harassment: Harassment can include many things from stalking someone on social media, hacking into someone’s private computer, or making threats toward someone.
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Bank fraud: Bank fraud is considered an internet crime when a person uses the internet to hack into a bank’s computer system or unlawfully obtain the password to someone else’s bank account.
Most of the above crimes are classified as felonies and as such, they carry very harsh penalties. Fortunately, there are defenses available.
Defenses to Internet Crimes
Federal law enforcement agencies spend a great deal of time investigating internet crime cases. They are under a lot of pressure to solve these crimes quickly, and it is not uncommon for federal agents to overstep their bounds when pursuing a case. Federal law enforcement, just like state agencies, must follow certain procedures when making arrests, conducting searches, and more. If any of these procedures were not followed, it can result in evidence against you being thrown out, which could be all the defense you need.
Many cases involving internet crimes also require the prosecution to prove the defendant had possession of unlawful material. Child pornography cases are one example of this. Constructive possession, such as opening an email you didn’t know contained the illicit material, might not be enough for the prosecution to overcome reasonable doubt.
Our Internet Crimes Lawyer in Urbana Can Help You Beat Your Charges
Regardless of the type of Internet crime you have been charged with, you need someone standing up for your rights. At Patel Law, PC, our Urbana internet crimes lawyer will always ensure your rights are upheld while giving you the best chance of beating your charges. Call us now at 217.384.1111 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
