Deputy Attorney General Announces Crackdown on Cybercrimes

 Posted on September 26, 2017 in Criminal Law

Technology changes and evolves so quickly that law enforcement often struggles to keep up. However, most states do have at least some laws in place to protect potential cybercrime victims. Furthermore, the United States government regularly question, arrest, detain, and even convict individuals who are suspected of cybercrimes. Now, with the announcement from Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, there may be even more cybercrime arrests.

The Crackdown on Cybercrime

In an August 29, 2017, press release, the Department of Justice announced that it had strengthened its ability to press charges against individuals suspected of cybercrimes. A full cybercrimes lab and over 45 different attorneys will be working to bring them down. What sorts of crimes will they be investigating, and what might it mean for you or a loved one if you become suspect in a cybercrimes case? The following explains further.

What Are Cybercrimes?

Cybercrimes are defined as an illegal act on a computer or over the internet. It can include everything from gaining access to computers, data, files, or programs without the owner’s permission and cyberstalking to hacking into government systems and using a computer to commit fraud. Some are considered misdemeanors. Others are considered felonies. The consequence will depend largely upon the level of the offense, but other details of the case (i.e., whether the crime was a state or federal one if there are previous offenses, amount of money that was fraudulently obtained, etc.) may be factored in as well.

Understanding the Potential Consequences

In a state cybercrimes case, individuals facing misdemeanor charges could be imprisoned for up to one year. Individuals who are up against felony charges stand to spend more time in jail (one year or more), and they stand to face lifelong collateral consequences, such as difficulty finding a job because of their criminal record. In either case, legal representation is highly encouraged.

Federally tried cases are a completely different ballgame. Individuals may face even more severe consequences for their crimes, and there may be multiple charges attached if there is any evidence to suggest that additional crimes were committed. At this level, it is crucial to ensure you have an experienced attorney on your side, fighting for your freedom.

Contact Our DuPage County Cybercrimes Lawyers

If you or someone you love is facing charges for a cybercrime, contact the Davi Law Group, LLC for assistance. Dedicated and experienced, our DuPage County criminal defense lawyers will aggressively pursue the most favorable outcome possible for your unique situation. Learn more about how we can assist with your case by scheduling a personalized consultation. Call 630-580-6373 today.

Sources:

https://www.scmagazine.com/rosenstein-announces-new-resources-to-fight-cybercrime/article/685067/

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/criminal-ccips/legacy/2015/01/14/ccmanual.pdf