With more and more people relying on computers to conduct business and personal affairs, the likelihood of being involved in a cyber crime increases.   A South Florida criminal defense attorney can explain the applicable laws related to cyber crimes in Florida.   Some of the cyber crimes prohibited by the Florida Computer Crimes Act that a South Florida criminal defense attorney may assist with include:

• Stealing, altering or destroying trade secrets, intellectual property or other data
• Hacking a computer
• Interrupting government work or public service through hacking
• Stealing or using a computer system to defraud
• Damaging a physical computer or destroying a computer system or network
• Creating a scheme to obtain property through a computer or network
• Accessing a network without authorization
• Storing unlawfully-obtained data
• Infecting a computer, system or network with a virus or other contaminant
• Making unauthorized modifications of equipment or supplies that comprise a computer, network or system

The potential penalties for a conviction of a cyber crime vary wildly from a misdemeanor charge to a first degree felony.   A misdemeanor like making unauthorized modifications to equipment or supplies that comprise a computer, network or system is a first degree misdemeanor, chargeable by up to one year in jail.   In contrast, if a cyber crime resulted or could have resulted in the loss of life, the crime is considered a first degree felony with the possibility of life imprisonment.   The potential penalty for a cyber crime depends on the particular type of crime, as well as the extent of the damage caused by the defendant’s acts.   Other potential penalties include five years in prison with a fine up to $5,000; 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000; or fines up to twice the amount of financial gain the defendant received through the crime.