Orlando Criminal Defense Blog

Computers and the internet have made life easier for almost everybody -- but it's also made it easier than ever to get in trouble with the law. You can now commit a serious crime remotely, without even leaving your home or office.

A computer crime is, at its most basic, any crime that requires the use of a computer. Keeping in mind that even your cellular phone is a powerful little computer, here are some of the most common computer crimes:

1. Hacking: This involves the deliberate breach of another computer's security system or operations. Hacking can include the theft of important information, like passwords or personal identities. It can also include DDoS attacks and botnets that are designed to disrupt normal operations.
2. Fraud: Many forms of fraud require the use of computers these days, whether that means grifting small amounts from large accounts or using the internet to transfer funds illegally to offshore accounts.
3. Viruses: Computer viruses serve no purpose other than to damage individual computers, whole networks and large systems that are relied on by companies and governments alike.
4. Ransomware: These malware-based crimes are designed to hold a computer system "hostage" until the agency or entity that needs the system pays up. In the case of hospitals, ransomware has been known to endanger lives.
5. Spamming: Spam mail is more than annoyance -- it can land you in jail. Unsolicited emails that are deceptive and malicious have landed some spammers in jail.
6. Piracy: The modern pirate is hiding on the internet, not the high seas. Computer piracy involves the theft of intellectual material, like software, even if you don't intend to resell it.

The last place you wanted to end up was back in jail, especially after your conviction resulted in a sentence of probation. Probation is often a more desirable outcome than a jail sentence because it allows you to remain with your family and continue in your daily routine as much as possible within the terms of your court order. However, if you are facing accusations of being in violation of your probationary terms, you may fear that jail is in your future after all.

A probation violation is nothing to take lightly. It can mean serious penalties and lifelong consequences. If your probation officer is bringing you before a judge with evidence that you violated your court-ordered probation, you would be wise to have a legal advisor standing by your side.

The Hobbs Act 18 U.S. Code § 1951 has been in existence since 1946, but many people aren't even aware that it exists until they've been charged with a crime under the act.

Back in the day, the Hobbs Act was aimed at racketeering that was problematic throughout the labor and management disputes at the time. Now, with the decline of unions, the Hobbs Act is more often used to charge public officials who abuse their official position and power to extort others into giving up their property. It also is sometimes aimed at ordinary people who are accused of using force, weapons, violence and terror to rob others.

Fraud is a broad category that can encompass many different crimes. The key point that ties them all together is that a person willfully tried to deceive another person for their own gain. While fraud is typically handled in the same manner regardless of what type of assets are involved, it is generally categorized by that fact.

Some forms include wire, credit card, tax, bankruptcy and securities fraud. These can be done by individuals or businesses, depending on the circumstances. When the business is the entity in question, the employees, owners or others involved will usually be the ones that are going to face charges.