Greenville SC Cyber Crimes Defense Attorney

Cybercrime allegations will not go away quietly. Whether you have been charged with a state or federal offense, you could be sentenced to jail, forced to pay hefty fines, or possibly both. When it comes to a cybercrime charge, it is crucial that you have the right legal team in your corner.

The Greenville cybercrime defense attorneys at Ryan Beasley Law are available to combat cybercrime charges and preserve your reputation.

What is a Cybercrime?

A cybercrime is when a person uses a computer network or system to commit illegal activity. As technology advances, cybercrime is becoming a growing threat to our nation’s security. Since cybercrimes involve stealing information transmitted through the internet, it is often charged as a federal offense, although it is possible to face state-level charges.

Who Investigates Cyber Crimes?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates federal cybercrime. The FBI collaborates with victims of cybercrime to uncover who is behind the criminal conduct. If you are under federal investigation, you will likely be hearing from an FBI agent.

If you are found in violation of South Carolina law, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will be involved in investigating your case. SLED is responsible for obtaining, preserving, and accessing digital evidence to help local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies locate perpetrators behind computer crimes.

Cybercrime Penalties

Penalties for cybercrime will depend on if you are being charged at the state or federal level.

Federal Conviction

If you are convicted of federal cybercrime, you will be sentenced to ten years in prison. This applies if it is your first offense. If it is your second offense, you could be sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. You could also be fined, or in some cases, you could be jailed and fined.

If someone suffered bodily harm or death, this would be an aggravating circumstance that could result in a life sentence. Check out more information about federal convictions of cybercrimes here.

State Conviction

South Carolina charges computer crimes as either a felony or misdemeanor based on the amount of money that was stolen from the victim. Under South Carolina Code §16-16-20, a computer crime is charged as a felony if the victim lost $10,000 or more. A conviction may result in imprisonment for five years, a maximum fine of $50,000, or both.

Computer crimes in the second or third degree are both misdemeanor offenses. If the victim loses between $1,000 and $10,000, you will be charged with a computer crime in the second degree. If it is your first offense, you could be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for one year, or both. If it is your second or subsequent offense, you may be fined $20,000, sentenced to two years in prison, or both.

If the victim loses $1,000 or less, you will be charged with computer crime in the third degree. As a first-time offender, you could be fined $200 or sentenced to 30 days in prison. For a second or subsequent offense, you could be fined $2,000, imprisoned for two years, or potentially both.

Speak with Our Greenville, SC, Cybercrimes Attorneys Today

Being accused of a computer crime can destroy your good name. If you have been charged with a cybercrime, the best course of action is to speak with our Greenville cybercrime attorneys. To schedule your no-cost, confidential consultation, contact Ryan Beasley Law by calling (864) 679-7777 or by filling out our online contact form.