Denver Criminal Defense Attorney: Felony Computer Crimes a Serious Offense

Computers have made it much easier than ever to commit acts of fraud and criminal trespassing, and Colorado lawmakers are finding that state laws don’t always cover every type of computer crime.  If you are involved in a business activity that is under investigation for white-collar computer crime, the most sensible course of action is to seek counsel from a Denver criminal defense attorney.

Because of federal statutes prohibiting seven types of computer-related conduct, many computer crimes can carry a serious penalty.  For example, in the case of a white-collar computer crime like fraud, someone who is convicted of a $500 to $15,000 theft will be guilty of a Class 4 felony.  Anything over $15,000 is a considered a Class 3 felony.  Gaining information illegally from banks or official government agencies, or accessing information from a computer as part of a plan to commit theft are two common methods white collar computer crime. 

Other types of computer crime include the unlawful use of a computer to obtain confidential national security information and then willfully communicating that information to another person who is not authorized to see it.  These offenses are taken very seriously by both the Department of Homeland Security and federal judges.  It can also be illegal to browse information on government-protected computers, or to knowingly infect a computer with a virus. 

The rise in computer crimes has resulted in more intense investigations at both the state and federal levels.  If you are under investigation for a computer-related white collar crime, seeking legal counsel early will help you present a strong legal defense and avoid common mistakes.  Waiting until after an indictment may make your case much more difficult to win.  Consult with the experienced Denver criminal defense attorneys at Clawson & Clawson, LLP and find out what they will do to defend your case.