When you have been accused of a felony offense, it can be incredibly overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that you are considered innocent until proven guilty in the United States, so you should do everything you can to work with an experienced attorney who can help guide you during these complicated matters. If you are facing criminal charges for felony computer crimes, the following blog explores what you should know about these offenses and how a Cobb County criminal defense lawyer can assist you through these difficult times.
What Are Computer Crimes, and What Penalties Can I Face for a Felony Offense in Georgia?
Established in 1986, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) was established as a means of penalizing those who hack and use computers without authorization. When it was established, its main goal was to help ease concerns about computer hacking. However, since its inception, it has expanded to include several other crimes. As such, common offenses that can warrant a felony offense involving computers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fraud
- Child pornography
- Hacking
- Distributing viruses and malware
- Extortion
- Phishing
If you are facing a felony crime, it’s important to understand that you can face severe consequences. However, based on the offense you are accused of and the circumstances surrounding your crime, the penalties can vary. Because this is a felony crime, that means you will spend more than one year in jail, but it’s imperative to understand that in some cases, you can spend life in prison for a computer crime.
What Defenses Can I Utilize?
Though it may seem improbable to defend if you are accused of committing felony computer crimes, working with an experienced attorney is one of the best options. This is because they can examine the circumstances of your arrest and charges to determine the best course of action for your unique case.
One of the most common defenses is a lack of intent. When you are charged with a crime, you may be able to prove that you never intended to commit a criminal offense. For example, if you logged into a computer to email important files to someone without realizing one of the files contained a virus, you may be able to avoid charges.
Another potential defense is establishing that you had prior authorization to access the information. While the Supreme Court recently ruled that authorization to access a system does not authorize you to access sensitive files without express permission, you may be able to prove that you had permission to access the system.
Facing a felony computer offense can be incredibly overwhelming, which is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney from Miller Law Practice to help guide you through these complicated issues. Our team understands how overwhelming these matters can be, which is why we are dedicated to fighting for you. Connect with our firm today to learn more about these issues.