Some of the possible charges one can face for computer crimes, internet crimes, unlawful pornography offenses, or online sexual offense crimes, include allegations that can carry severe state and federal criminal penalties. In modern cases, computer forensic issues can crop up in all types of prosecutions. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a computer crime or internet crime in the San Francisco Bay Area, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
Our office has handled the defense of computer crime cases, and has worked extensively with computer experts in the defense of these types of cases. Our office has handled trial and post-conviction proceedings in computer crime cases. Computer crimes cases will require intensive factual analysis and review of the steps law enforcement took that led to your arrest.
In order to adequately assess the strength of the prosecution case against you, you must work with an attorney who has knowledge about how computer forensic examinations and analysis are conducted in these types of cases. A computer forensics expert or computer programmer may need to be hired by the defense to evaluate the evidence against you.
There may be complicated search and seizure issues, or challenges to warrants that must be raised. The prosecution may call experts in computer forensic examinations that may need to be cross examined at a preliminary hearing or trial. Your defense may need to raise challenges to the evidence under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (California Penal Code section 1546-1546.4).
If an individual is accused of unlawful pornography offenses, charges are commonly brought under California Penal Code section 311-311.11. A conviction for an unlawful pornography offense will require Penal Code Section 290 registration. You will need an experienced lawyer to help you navigate these very serious charges. There are potential defenses that can be raised for this type of offense, but they are case specific and dependent on the specific facts of your matter.
A computer related crime that is aggressively prosecuted in the San Francisco Bay Area is commonly known as "sexting," or sending harmful matter to a prohibited person, like a minor. Another common charge is a violation of Penal code section 288.3, or contacting a minor to commit a felony. Much of this prohibited or unlawful conduct takes place online, sometimes through various social media applications, and the police have numerous investigatory tools to monitor the internet for illegal activity. The police also routinely engage in "sting" type investigations, wherein they will pretend to be a minor and communicate directly with a target or suspect.
In some cases, the appropriate approach may be to recommend client enter immediately into mental health treatment. We can also discuss with you this option if appropriate in your specific case. We are familiar with psychologists and programs to refer clients to who are in need of immediate assistance with mental health issues that may have led to their arrest. There are several programs available here locally in the Bay Area that assist clients struggling with the types of issues that could have led to this type of offense being committed.
Our office has years of experience defending computer crime cases, including allegations of online sexual offenses. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.