Common Internet Crimes and Their Penalties in Florida

June 10, 2019

Internet crime continues to grow and expand the more the internet is used by people all over the world. Most of these crimes are not new, but newer ones are being recognized all the time by law enforcement agencies throughout Florida and the rest of the country. Internet crimes are also referred to as cybercrimes and they often involve fraudulent activity or some other illegal activity that takes place over the Internet. Today, we will take a brief look at the various crimes that occur using the internet and the penalties that come with them.

Common Internet Crimes

The most common types of internet crimes are:

Credit card fraud
Hacking
Gambling
Phishing scams
Child pornography
Identity theft
Theft of trade secrets or other data

This is just a sampling of the various internet crimes our firm has experience with when it comes to defending clients facing cybercrime charges.

Penalties for Internet Crimes in Florida

Under Florida law, the following penalties can be assessed if you are convicted of an internet crime:

Crimes involving intellectual property: third-degree felony. second-degree felony if a plan is created to defraud or acquire the property.
Crimes involving other internet users: third-degree felony. second-degree felony if the defendant causes damage to a computer or other electronic equipment that caused a loss of at least $5,000. first-degree felony if the defendant endangered human life or interrupted equipment that is used to medically treat others.

Possible Defenses for Internet Crime Charges

If you have been charged with an internet crime in Florida you need to begin building a defense to those charges immediately. Some of the possible defenses to these charges you can use include, but are not limited, to the following:

You lacked the willful knowledge of participation in the crime
You were given permission by the computer’s owner or cyber network
You committed the crime under duress or were forced to do it
You can show a lack of intent to commit the crime
You are able to provide evidence that the crime was an honest mistake made when using the technology involved

The best possible defense to a charge of any internet crime is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who has represented clients facing cybercrime charges in the past. Your rights and freedom are at stake when facing a criminal charge and it’s smart to consult with an attorney before making any statement to law enforcement.

Contact an Attorney Today

Were you charged with cybercrime in Broward County or elsewhere in South Florida? It’s time to speak with experienced criminal defense attorneys who have represented clients facing cybercrime charges. Call the offices of The Berman Law Group at (800) 375-5555 today to schedule a consultation about your case. You can also complete the contact form found on the website and someone will respond to you in a prompt manner. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner you can begin building a defense to the charges levied against you.

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About The Author

Russell Berman

Russell Berman is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Business with majors in Finance and Business Law, and a Minor in Real Estate (B.A. December 2000). Mr. Berman received his Juris Doctor in May 2003 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, five years after graduating from high school. Mr. Berman focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury and personal injury protection claims, and he has successfully litigated and managed thousands of claims, recovering millions of dollars in personal injury protection benefits afforded by Automobile Insurance Policies, Medical Doctors, Doctors of Chiropractic, MRI facilities, Orthopedists, and Licensed Massage Therapists.