Computers now take center stage as a crime scene for the new interconnected world. Still, few have training in computer forensics to properly investigate or defend cyber crime.
If charged with a crime involving computers in Connecticut, you need to have an attorney knowledgeable in both the criminal law and process but also computer technology – since many judges don’t! When your Connecticut computer crimes lawyer understands the technology, you can feel safe knowing that your interests will get protected. We have seen cases in which someone told clients that a hacking fix took hours or days to fix, when our knowledge can proved they should have fixed it in mere minutes. This should lessen the out of pocket costs of restitution.
Familiarizing yourself with the consequences involved in different computer crimes can prepare you for your case.
Computer Crimes and Consequences
| Degree of Computer Crime | Amount of Damage or Harm Required | Penalty |
| 1st degree | Damage to or the value of the property or computer services is over $10,000 | B felony (up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both) |
| 2nd degree | Damage to or the value of the property or computer services is over $5,000 | C felony (up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both) |
| 3rd degree | Damage to or the value of the property or computer services is over $1,000. Reckless conduct that creates a risk of serious physical injury to another person | D felony (up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both) |
| 4th degree | Damage to or the value of the property or computer services is over $500 | A misdemeanor (up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both) |
| 5th degree | Damage to or the value of the property or computer services, if any, is $500 or less | B misdemeanor (up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both) |
Note: This chart provided by: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0254.htm
10 Things to Know About Computer Crimes
1. Computer crime is on the rise due to the increases in technology and prevalence of personal computers/smart phones.
2. When hiring a lawyer to defend you, you want to look for someone with experience in computer crime defense and one who has knowledge about computer technology.
3. Damaging someone else’s computer can have serious consequences: you could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $15,000 if you damage a equipment worth over $10,000.
4. Computer crimes such as sexting, child pornography, and identity theft have increased due to the rise of computers.
5. You can face charges for multiple computer crimes at once.
6. Minors can face charges for several different types of computer crimes, such as cyber bullying, sexting, and possession of child pornography.
7. The best thing that you can do to defend yourself against a computer crime charge is hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to assist you.
8. Computer crimes can be pursued as federal or state crimes.
9. If you are a person of interest in a computer crime investigation, do not volunteer information to the police.
10. Find a lawyer who offers a free consultation and get free information/advice on your case before you decide to retain.
While you might understand the importance of hiring a lawyer for Connecticut computer crimes, this doesn’t mean that you know where to start in your search. For this reason, we’ve created a checklist of some important things to look out for as you seek to find the right one. You can use this checklist to make sure that the attorney you hire is the best for you.
They Speak About Specific Cases
A lot of lawyers market themselves as trial lawyers, but this doesn’t actually mean that they take many cases to court. Ask the lawyer if they have dealt with cases similar to yours and ask specifically how that lawyer defended those cases. Also ask about the outcomes of those cases. If a lawyer is comfortable discussing this, they probably have a lot of experience with cases like yours and going to trial. Even if a lawyer doesn’t have personal experience with a case like yours, they should be able to explain how they would defend your case.
They Don’t Shy Away From Tough Questions
If you ask the lawyer you are meeting with what their fees are, if they are comfortable taking your case, and similar questions, you should expect a straight answer. If the lawyer beats around the bush, they might not be as experienced or affordable as they claim to be. Take the consultation as an opportunity to ask any and every question you have in order to feel comfortable hiring that attorney.
They Have Testimonials
Whether online or in their office, lawyers should have testimonials from former clients that you can look at. Testimonials offer an honest picture of the attorney and how clients felt about how their cases were handled. It is definitely worthwhile to look at reviews and see what others in your position have to say.
They Offer a Free Consultation
Many lawyers do this in order to discuss your case with you in a casual setting. The lawyer you are thinking about hiring should offer a free consultation so that there is no pressure on you to retain or meet with the attorney. They should be willing to assess your case and give you free advice before you start talking money.
This is a brief checklist of some of the most important things that you should look for in a Connecticut computer crimes lawyer. To put us to the test, you can schedule a consultation.
Call: (203) 925-9200 
Text: (203) 925-9200
Facebook Messenger
