Providing Strong Legal Counsel for Internet Crime Defendants in Tennessee

Experienced Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Seymour, and Pigeon Forge representation for those accused of crimes

Internet crimes have serious consequences. Convictions can lead to jail time, strong penalties, court costs, and civil actions. Because computer crimes—commonly called cybercrimes—can easily reach across the states, there are federal Internet crime laws as well as Tennessee Internet statutes. An experienced Sevierville Internet crime lawyer can explain the various charges. Internet crime defendants may also be charged with other crimes such as theft, child pornography, or mail fraud.

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, our lawyers know how to protect the rights of our clients in the Tri-Cities region and throughout the Northeast. As with most crimes, a Sevierville Internet crime attorney works to make sure your Constitutional rights have priority and that there is a reasonable doubt as to at least one element of the criminal charge. Because computer crimes often depend on very technical evidence, we work with computer experts when needed to help show the crime was not committed by our client.

Types of Internet crimes

Computer crimes using the Internet can often be prosecuted under federal law or Tennessee law – or both. Some of the common types of common types of cases Sevierville Internet crime defense attorneys handle are:

• Identity theft. Many people now keep or use personal financial information online. This includes social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account information, driver’s license information, and dates of birth. Accessing, using, or selling this information without the consent of the owner can lead to a federal or state criminal charge.
• Embezzlement. This is a form of theft that relies on a fiduciary relationship between the owner of an asset and trust between the owner and the fiduciary. If an employee, for example, uses the credit card information of the employer to purchase personal items, this can lead to an Internet crime charge and an embezzlement charge.
• Crimes in involving minors. Child pornography or luring a minor into compromising sexual activity can result in federal or state criminal prosecution.
• Distressful images. Tennessee now makes it a crime to “transmit or display an image” online that is meant to scare or intimidate someone or cause the person to whom the image is posted emotional distress.

Other Internet crimes include money laundering, extortion, online gambling, electronic harassment, drug trafficking, copyright infringement, and more.

Internet crimes in Tennessee

The Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003 identifies a variety of computer and computer network violations. In general, access to unauthorized information is a Class C misdemeanor. Introducing a computer virus into someone’s computer is a Class B misdemeanor, and hacking into a computer system is a Class A misdemeanor. Other computer crimes such as obtaining money, services, or property through fraud, or acts of terrorism, may be felonies.

Internet Crime Defenses

The Delius & McKenzie  has a strong and successful track record of defending our clients in Sevierville, Kingsport, Gatlinburg, Greeneville, Johnson City, Seymour, Bristol, and Pigeon Forge against Internet crime charges. Our office has convinced juries that clients deserved to be found not-guilty. In some cases, we have arranged and strategized to get the charges dropped. In other cases, we have arranged a reduction of the charges. We argue, for example, that a lack of intent as a possible defense, depending on the nature of the violation.

If you are terrified of going to jail because of one bad error, know that out firm is here to help, ready to fight for you, your family, and your future.

Charged with an Internet crime in Tennessee? Get an aggressive Tri-Cities defense attorney on your side

Delius & McKenzie, PLLC offers aggressive representation to clients charged with an Internet crime in Sevierville, Seymour, Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge, or in Greeneville, Bristol, Johnson City or Kingsport. We fight hard to have your charges dropped or reduced when dropping them is not possible. To make an appointment with an experienced Sevierville Internet defense lawyer, please call 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. Our team offers in-custody visits.