Are You an Internet Criminal?

Have you recently been arrested for committing a cyber crime and can’t figure out why or how you got caught? Concerned that you may have more serious charges or even federal charges brought against you as well? You are not alone. Each year, thousands of people are arrested, charged, and convicted of very serious crimes involving the Internet. Many of them are sophisticated criminals who knew exactly what they were doing. Meanwhile, plenty of other people are helpless victims who had no idea what they were even doing online. Regardless where your charges fall on that spectrum, you should definitely not face the court alone. Call the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. to get thorough and experienced legal representation from start to finish from a skilled criminal lawyer.

What is an Internet Crime?

Any time you commit an act that would be illegal on paper or in the “real world” but do it online, then there is a good chance you could go to jail. So obvious examples would be:

• Embezzlement. Think about it. If a person steals from a cash drawer, it can be considered embezzling company funds. Most people would never think of doing such a thing, yet they may have no problem downloading valuable software of other items from an employer without authorization. If the value is high enough, this too can be considered embezzlement.
• Much like embezzlement, piracy has to do with taking something that isn’t yours. The only differences are that piracy is not usually done with a profit motive, but rather to simply avoid paying for something. Also, piracy is usually not a crime against an employer, but rather it involves taking something proprietary, such as intellectual property like music or movies.
• If you can’t follow an ex-spouse around town making violent threats, you certainly can’t do it online. Both are potentially criminal acts. Many people think they cannot get caught if they hide their actions online, but it is actually much easier to get caught online, because there is a permanent record and evidence trail.
• If you would not threaten, intimidate or harass someone in the real world, then why would you do it online? While there are limits to what is considered illegal, many people have allowed their emotions to get the better of them, leading to criminal conduct.
• Identity Theft. We all know it’s illegal to use someone else’s license, but it is also illegal to impersonate someone online in an attempt to obtain something of value. Maryland law takes Internet-based crimes like identity theft and manufacturing false government identification very seriously. In fact, the Maryland Attorney General routinely gets involved in prosecuting these types of crimes.
• Child pornography. Finally, the most obvious concern is child abuse, pornography, and similar sex-offenses that can be easily committed online. Rest assured, however, that nothing is private on the Internet.

Getting Help Defending a Cyber Crime

If you have been charged with an Internet crime, call the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. in Maryland today. We may be able to help you beat your charges or get the penalties greatly reduced. But whatever you do, don’t speak to prosecutors or police without a lawyer.

Resource:

marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/IdentityTheft/default.aspx

https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/4-ways-to-beat-a-traffic-ticket-in-maryland/