Ever since the internet went public in 1993, cybercrime has become a growing issue. While this often occurs through the actions of intentional cybercriminals, other times, it occurs through an innocent individual’s actions. Intended or not, the results affect numerous types of businesses, governments, and individuals across the globe.
Intentional or accidental, legal issues can arise with accusations from a foreign company, government, or individual to U.S. citizens. The only way to understand and combat those legalities is with the aid of an experienced international defense team, such as the experts of SKJ Law Firm.
Examples of Cybercrime
Cybercrime is a broad term used to describe crime involving computer technology through the internet. Cybercriminals, who are quite computer-savvy, use a variety of methods to obtain private or personal data involving ransomware, phishing, and data breaches, with an ongoing learning curve for newly developed technology to create new forms of attacks.
Some examples of cybercrime include:
- Accessing a computer to obtain personal information
- Accessing a computer to defraud
- Password trafficking
- Invading governmental computers
- Accessing a computer to obtain National Security information
- Causing intentional damage to individual, business, or governmental information and infrastructure
And the list continues to grow as we continue to use computers and the internet in so many aspects of our lives. Cybercrime is not just domestic. In fact, cybercrime often crosses multiple borders around the world.
Potential Penalties if Charged with Cybercrime
Being accused of any crime involving the laws of a foreign country can be overwhelming. Cybercrime is no different and being a U.S. citizen in no way protects you from accusation and prosecution from someone in a foreign country. The result can differ from the penalties here in the U.S. and other countries.
Within the U.S., a first-time cybercrime conviction may lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years. For multiple convictions, an individual may be looking at a prison sentence of twice as long or longer, depending upon the depth of the crime.
However, each foreign government may view things differently and have its own individual structure of potential penalties for cybercriminals. Having an international cybercrime attorney on your side may strongly help reduce those terms and penalties.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer?
The expression of no-time like the present certainly applies to the question of when you should contact a lawyer well-versed in international law when it comes to cybercrime. International law is an incredibly unique field for which a general attorney just is not trained or qualified to understand or deal with.
Suppose a member of your team or multiple individuals have been accused of or been charged with a cybercrime in or by another country. In that case, you can count on the SKJ Law Firm.
We travel and work tirelessly with legal teams from nations all around the world to understand their laws and legal systems to help us help our clients. Understanding and dealing with cybercrime and those accused as cybercriminals is just one of many international legal facets with which we deal.
International Criminal Defense Lawyers
Although likely unintentional, hiring attorneys who are inexperienced in international law can lead to an incompetent defense. When accused of cybercrime abroad, you need a legal team with not only the knowledge and experience but also the perseverance to fight for you in a foreign court.
At SKJ Law Firm, you can count on us to not only thoroughly investigate your case but also to fully investigate and understand the laws that you may be up against.
Located in Houston, the SKJ Law Firm works with corporations and individuals throughout the country and U.S. citizens abroad. Call us at 713-228-8500.
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