If you follow US Crime news, you know that Identity theft, online fraud, and hacking crimes are at an all-time high. The FBI has focused their efforts on thwarting these cybercriminals, but chasing down these offenders can be difficult to catch before they strike again. All too often, people find themselves the victim of a computer crime and need to seek compensation.
On the flipside, many individuals either commit these crimes knowingly or find themselves stunned to be considered a cybercriminal after a single, careless action. If you’ve found yourself in either boat, then here’s how to choose an attorney for computer crime cases.
What if I’m Innocent?
It might sound strange to hear the innocent individuals find themselves charged with computer crimes, but it happens. In many cases, the individual was careless with what links they were clicking or what they were downloading. While this usually leads to a computer virus, it sometimes leads to unknowingly downloading illegal content.
While you might be innocent of the crime and clearly the victim of someone passing illegal content around, it’s important to remember that computer crime cases are rigorous and the penalties are severe. You need skilled legal aid like this Boulder computer crimes attorney to prove your innocence in court.
Choosing a Lawyer
Whether you are innocent or knowingly committed the crime, you’ll need to choose the right attorney for the job. Internet crimes are handled by federal agencies in most cases, making the need for a skilled legal professional all the more severe.
If you have trusted friends or family members you can talk to about your charges, ask them if they know of an attorney who handled a case for them or someone they know. If that doesn’t work, hop online and look for law firms that handle these cases. You can use criminal defense organizations as well, which will refer you to the type of attorney you need.
Next, meet with the attorney in-person or over the phone. This will help you decide if the professional is a fit for your case and personality, and if they have the experience you’re looking for. This process may take a little time, but it’s vital that you hire legal aid as fast as possible. The longer you wait, the less time you have to build your case.
Does it Matter What Crime I’ve Committed?
There are various types of computer crimes someone can commit. Identity theft, hacking, and financial frauds are the primary methods criminals use to illegally gain access to someone’s finances. Credit card fraud, sending viruses, and email phishing scams are also prevalent. There are also sexual crimes including revenge porn and solicitation of a minor in any form.
Regardless of the crime you’ve been accused of, the type of attorney you need remains the same. They must be skilled in defending someone accused of cybercrimes. It’s an area of law someone studies and practices at great length, making it a bit of an expertise. Without a computer crimes attorney, you don’t stand much of a chance against the federal government.