In Utah, internet crimes – also known as cybercrimes – are taken very seriously, especially if they involve preying on children, the elderly or any other at-risk victim profile.
In fact, the Utah Attorney General has established a special cybercrimes task force to help identify and prosecute potential offenders.
Prosecutors take a harsh stance against alleged perpetrators of internet crimes, pressing state or federal charges that carry harsh prison sentences and substantial monetary fines. Upon conviction, you will also face probation, community service and registry in Utah’s white collar crimes database. This can interfere with your ability to get a job or hold a professional license.
Before you provide a statement to investigators or agree to any deal offered by the prosecutor, talk to an internet crimes attorney at the Law Office of Brad R. Anderson.
Categories of Utah Internet Crimes
Some of the most common types of cybercrimes involve identity theft, hacking, financial crimes and various types of fraud committed using computer technology and the internet.
In addition to white collar cybercrimes, you can also face charges for cyber-stalking, terrorism and the possession or distribution of child pornography.
Many internet crimes violate federal as well as state laws, raising the possibility that you will face federal charges as well as state charges. This increases the severity of the potential penalties you will face upon conviction. And, because federal agencies and prosecutors have significant resources at their disposal, it increases the importance of mounting the strongest possible defense.
Penalties for Internet & Cyber-Crimes
Although some minor internet-related crimes could qualify for misdemeanor charges, most cybercrimes qualify as felonies.
Even the lowest class of felonies – third-degree felonies – carry the potential for up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Second-degree felony charges carry up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. A first-degree felony could put you behind bars for life.
The court is likely to impose supervised probation and compel you to perform hundreds of hours of community service. You may be forced to register in the state’s white collar crimes database and, if your offense included child pornography, you must register as a sex offender. In either case, you will be significantly restricted in your ability to get a job, rent a home or hold professional licensure. You could also be prohibited from owning or using a computer in the future.
How a Utah Internet Crimes Attorney Can Help
When you trust the Law Office of Brad R. Anderson to represent you, you will have a compassionate, aggressive team of legal professionals fighting for you.
If you have not yet been charged, we may be able to persuade the prosecutor not to file charges or to file lesser charges. In many cases, we can convince federal prosecutors to hand the case over to the state.
We will ensure that you understand the serious nature of your charges and what they could mean for your future. We will help you explore all possible options and help you make the right choices for yourself and your future.
Contact our office today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a Utah internet crimes lawyer.