Colorado takes an aggressive approach to crimes involving the Internet, smartphones, or computers. Otherwise small-scale charges are sometimes ramped up to serious offenses simply because somebody’s computer was involved.
If you have been charged with a cyber crime in Colorado (that is, any crime allegedly committed over the Internet or while using any computing device), you need a legal advocate who has an in-depth understanding of Colorado cyber crime, which is an especially complex area of criminal law.
The truth is that ordinary people make innocent mistakes online every day. Computers are complicated and confusing, and the Internet can prey on vulnerability or naiveté in even the best of people.
Too often, prosecutors and police try to target someone’s simple slip of judgment, an accident, or a misunderstanding and turn it into a major crime, using Colorado’s aggressive statutes to escalate the charges.
Wolf Law understands how frightening, embarrassing, and unfair these charges can be. As experienced Denver cyber crime lawyers, we keep our fingers on the pulse of today’s popular and emerging technologies. We can provide an aggressive and effective legal defense for those who may be facing serious penalty.
Internet crimes in Colorado often carry lengthy prison sentences, including life in prison for some crimes. Sexual allegations also present the possibility that the accused could end up on a sex offender registry with lifelong consequences.
Regardless of the nature of your charges, if you have been accused of an Internet or computer crime in Colorado, your future and freedom are at stake.
Even if wrongfully accused, attempting to handle these charges by yourself could cost your quality of life. Tackling serious criminal charges without a lawyer’s help is a grave mistake.
Indeed, hiring an experienced Denver cyber crime lawyer may be the most important thing you’ll ever do. These cases are complex, and the stakes are high. The right attorney can make all the difference.
You don’t need to suffer harsher penalties than you deserve. Let Wolf Law come to your defense. We will fight tirelessly to minimize the potential penalties in your case and safeguard your good name.
Understanding Colorado Cyber Crime
Technology is extremely complicated, and so too are the criminal statutes surrounding it. The United States’ fundamental criminal laws were established hundreds of years ago, long before anyone had imagined the Internet or a cell phone.
In recent years, courts and legislatures have attempted to adapt these very old laws to fit modern times, often creating confusion or chaos along the way. Additionally, new laws treat computer crimes as inherently more dangerous than similar crimes that don’t involve modern technology. Accordingly, the punishments don’t always fit the crime.
Nevertheless, prosecutors and police tend to pursue these charges aggressively. By working with a Denver attorney for Internet crimes, you can stand up against the unfair and unjustified application of notoriously tough laws.
The Top 5 Cyber Crimes
Prosecutors pursue many kinds of computer crimes in Colorado, as well as at the federal level. Some charges are more common than others, though any can be extremely serious.
The following Top 5 Cyber Crimes list reflects the charges that police departments most often bring against people using the Internet on their smartphones or computers:
- Online Fraud (including phishing, phony transactions, and identity theft)
- Piracy of Intellectual Property (including software, movies, music, etc.)
- Hacking / Cyber Espionage
- Sex Crimes (including prostitution, solicitation, and child pornography)
- Drug trafficking
Other Common Types of Cyber Crime
In today’s increasingly digital world, almost any crime might carry a cyber allegation. In addition to the Top 5 Cyber Crimes outlined above, other common types of cyber crime include:
- Electronic harassment
- Stalking / Cyberstalking
- Distribution of malware or viruses
- Online scams
- Communication of threats
- Promotion or distribution of obscene materials
- Harboring obscene materials
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
- Engaging in sexual activity with a minor (or attempting to do so)
- Blackmail
- Extortion
- Intentionally accessing someone’s email account or other private accounts without permission
- Gambling
- Sports betting
- Accessing a service without paying for it
- Failure to deliver an item someone purchased from you online
- Purchasing illegal items / contraband
- Aiding terrorism
- Conspiracy charges
- Unlawful email activity, which may include something as seemingly simple as sending too many commercial emails or failing to ensure the absolute accuracy of an email header
The foregoing is not a comprehensive list of computer crimes at the state or federal level. Remember that cyber charges and penalties may accompany any crime that is alleged to have involved commission via Internet.
A Lawyer Who Understands Technology
Knowing the law is essential in these cases, but your lawyer also needs to thoroughly understand the relevant technologies. Even the most competent attorney can’t effectively defend against a cyber charge if he or she doesn’t understand the complexities of the technologies involved.
You need a lawyer who is ready and prepared to handle allegations involving:
- Chat rooms
- Instant Messenger
- Text messages / iMessage
- Private / Direct Messages
- Dropbox
- File sharing
- Alternative messaging or texting applications
- Skype / Videoconferencing
- Phone calls, including digital phone calls
- Webcams and video-sharing or Internet broadcasting
- Online streaming
- Uploads and downloads
- Social media (including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Kik, Tumblr, etc.)
- Smartphone applications
- Email / Email marketing
- Proxy servers
- FTP
- Edge, 3G, 4G, LTE, and other cellular data networks
- Photo-sharing platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, etc.
- Ecommerce
- Mac, Windows, Lenux, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and other operating systems
The attorneys at Wolf Law understand these technologies and many more. Don’t make the mistake of trusting your life in the hands of someone who promises they’ll “figure it out.” Hire an attorney who’s already figured it out.
Get Help from a Denver Cyber Crime Lawyer
Time matters. If you have been charged with an Internet or computer crime in Colorado, please contact Wolf Law right away. Taking early action makes it possible to protect your rights more effectively.
Wolf Law has many years of experience in defending those accused of computer crimes in the Denver metro and throughout all of Colorado.
When you contact Wolf Law, you can count on personal, diligent, and compassionate representation from one of our criminal defense attorneys. We’ll work with you to thoroughly examine the evidence against you and mount an effective challenge to minimize the penalties you may face.
If you need an excellent and compassionate Denver internet crime lawyer, please contact Wolf Law for a free consultation today.