Cybercrime

The creation of the World Wide Web has offered many benefits to generations of people in need of information. You can now access documents, research articles, student hubs, and even online classrooms with the click of a button. Though with the plethora of benefits, come downsides, including criminal offenses commonly known as cybercrimes. If you or someone you know is in need of a criminal defense attorney in Tampa, please contact Pallegar Law, P.A. to get the help you need.

Cybercrime refers to any offense carried out using the Internet or another form of technology. Included are child pornography, fraud, identity theft, and violation of privacy. A large portion of criminal offenses is sourced from the Dark Web, which is a “below-the-surface” browser. Only .2 percent of the Internet is accessible on the surface web, while the Dark Web occupies the other 99 percent. Some well-known Dark Web cases include Ross Ulbricht, creator of the drug dealing empire known as the Silk Road, along Peter Scully who has been sentenced to a total of 100 years in prison for creating a worldwide criminal network used to trade videos of child pornography.

More recently, an activist group known as “Anonymous” has come forward after years of silence, to protest the death of George Floyd. The group released confidential court documents, which linked President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged child trafficking ring. In addition to this, they had the Minneapolis Police Department’s website taken offline for several days. Since 2009, there have been arrests in the U.S., UK, Australia, and Spain, which included individuals involved in the Anonymous group. Though, with the slogan “We are legion”, it’s highly unlikely that all participants will ever be caught. If you or someone you know is in need of a criminal defense attorney to help with a cybercrime case, contact an experienced Tampa lawyer at Pallegar Law, P.A.

While these cybercrimes seem uncommon, there are various other crimes that are also generalized under this term. Sexting and cyber bullying, both common acts in the world of young adults, are both considered cybercrimes and can by charged and sentenced as such. Sexting can be defined as distributing explicit images through text messaging or a similar messaging technology. Cyber bullying is defined as harassing, or threatening with use of social media or another online network. While cyber bullying doesn’t have criminal sanctions at the moment, the penalty for sexting with images of a minor is a fine and a first or third degree felony if said offender doesn’t comply with the citation. A criminal defense lawyer should be consulted if you or someone you know has been charged with one of the above listed cyber crimes. A criminal defense lawyer should be consulted if you or someone you know has been charged with one of the above listed cyber crimes.

There are various key terms listed in chapter 815 of the Florida Statutes that should be examined and clarified by a criminal defense lawyer in the event that you are charged with a cybercrime. Different offenses associated with the cybercrime are subject to separate charges as well as that for cybercrime. A criminal defense lawyer should be consulted if you or someone you know has been charged with one of the above listed cyber crimes.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with a crime, contact an experienced Tampa criminal defense attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. Call 813.444.3912 to schedule your free consultation.