The internet has opened up a whole new way to work, live, and play. Recent innovations seem almost miraculous, yet they are only just the beginning. Likewise, the internet has opened up new worlds for criminal activity. Often in response to high-profile events or intense public pressure, lawmakers have passed harsh, reactionary laws which may punish people that do not deserve such treatment.
An aggressive defense is the best way to combat government overreach. That’s what our clients find at the law firm of van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim. We begin every defense with a conversation. Our Allentown internet crimes attorneys listen to you and develop a plan. Then, we spring into action and put our plan into motion. We are in this fight until the end. That could mean a successful plea negotiation, or it could mean a favorable outcome at trial. We are never satisfied with anything other than the best results under the circumstances, because neither are you.
Some Internet Crimes in Lehigh
In many places, law enforcement agencies use the latest technological tools to combat violent crimes. That includes things like running algorithms to predict future violent crime patterns. But people outside law enforcement have access to many of these same tools. That has led to a rise in internet crimes, such as:
- Sex Crimes: This umbrella term could mean anything from sharing an explicit photo with a slightly-underage girlfriend to soliciting sex with a young girl. Because of Meghan’s Law, Pennsylvania has some of the toughest sex offender registration laws in the country.
- Stalking and Harassment: Social media posts may cross the line into cyber-bullying or terroristic threat categories. Moreover, if your computer is linked to an unsecure WiFi connection, someone else may hijack your computer and use any personal information they find.
- Identity Theft: High-profile hacks at government and private entities have prompted calls for lawmakers to “do something.” They responded by passing expansive laws in this area. When police officers cast dragnets in this way, many innocent people often get caught.
- Bank Fraud: Banks have very robust online security measures to protect against unauthorized use, but hackers are very persistent. Bank fraud may also involve accessing an account using a wrongfully-obtained password or for unauthorized purposes.
Most harassment/stalking/solicitation-type internet crimes are felonies. Similarly, most theft/fraud cases are felonies if the amount in controversy exceeds $2,000.
Defense Strategies in Lehigh County
Many conspiracy internet crimes involve lengthy investigations. Law enforcement officers often feel intense pressure for success in these cases. So, they often take shortcuts. That could include police entrapment or wrongfully obtaining a search warrant.
Moreover, physical possession is still a key element of internet possession crimes, such as child pornography offenses. If the state cannot prove possession beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecutor cannot establish the case as a matter of law. Images viewed over the internet definitely do not pass muster under this requirement. Images that exist only in the cloud are in a grey area.
Get Respected Internet Crime Attorneys Involved in Your Case
In all internet crimes cases, we work hard to remove the stigma and focus on the facts. For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Allentown, contact van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim. Convenient payment plans are available.
