When discussing criminal offenses, crimes of a physical nature often come to mind. Physical offenses, especially those of a violent nature, do carry severe penalties.
Not all crimes involve physicality, though. With advancing technology, more and more offenses are being committed in the online realm and can also carry severe penalties. What are some of the more common crimes of a digital nature?
1. Identity theft
People often place their personal data on social media sites voluntarily. Often, individuals will also do this unwittingly on other websites. While this information may be easy for tech-savvy individuals to access, it should not be used for malicious purposes. Research suggests that nearly half the population in the U.S. experienced some form of identity theft in 2020.
2. Unlawful use of computer systems
Computer-based offenses may be charged at a federal level in some cases, but California also has a statute in place that governs this area. California Penal Code 502 (c) makes it unlawful to extort money digitally, access private systems unlawfully, disrupt government services and much more.
Potential consequences
Sentences for computer-based crimes can vary from case to case. Conduct that attempts to interfere with government property or that results in vast financial losses will be particularly frowned upon by the courts. In any case, you shouldn’t dismiss accusations of computer-based crimes.
If you are facing accusations of computer-based crimes, this can be just as serious as physical criminal offenses. It will benefit you to have a knowledgeable legal team by your side who can help you to beat the charges lodged against you.