In the last few decades, as the use of computers has proliferated, so has a category of crimes – such as possession of child pornography and identity theft – that utilize computers. If you’ve been charged with a computer crime, we urge you to contact us by calling or emailing us today to learn how we can protect your rights and reputation.
If you've used a computer to commit an illegal act such as identity theft or sending sexually explicit photos, etc. you've committed a cybercrime. As awareness of computer crime activity grows, it has become easier for the government to investigate an individual's online activity. Possession of underage material or images, on a device could quickly lead to felony charges.
At Birdsall Obear & Associates, our criminal defense attorneys strive to provide the best outcome for a client's case. Our cybercrime defense lawyers have decades of experience fighting for the rights of the accused. If you've been accused of computer crimes in Milwaukee, call today for a free consultation.
With decades of experience as top Milwaukee criminal defense attorneys, our computer crime criminal defense lawyers tenaciously delve into the intricacies of each case, leaving nothing to chance. Many times, constitutional violations may be uncovered that shed light on weaknesses of the government's case. Our criminal defense attorneys specialize in defending cyber crimes in Milwaukee and Sheboygan.
The State must prove 2 elements:
In addition, the statute requires that the following elements be met:
There are many defenses to such a charge, particularly with regard to digital images because they are so easily manipulated that even experts are unable to determine if the images have been altered. For example, what appears to be a child could be an adult whose breasts have been reduced/eliminated, hips slimmed and facial features altered (which can all be done with commercially available software).
Another defense is that the image does not show “sexually explicit conduct.” Even in Wisconsin, “mere nudity” is not enough. There must be an unnatural focus on sexual regions and it must appeal to sexual tendencies. This is difficult to get past judges and juries who view any pictures of naked children as “explicit.”
Often, the defense of this charge hinges on the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution questioning whether the search and seizure of the items in question was lawful. This is because the images are often contained on computers or found as hard copies in storage spaces.
The state must prove 4 elements:
In spite of the widespread media coverage of undercover detectives posing as 14 year old girls, and the existence of a TV show dedicated to the same “sting” operations, this offense continues to be committed. The increasing focus of law enforcement on sex crimes in general has led to a rash of these cases in Wisconsin and nationwide. A defense to this charge can be as simple as denying any intention to have sexual contact as the “intention” element can be difficult to prove. Of course, the nature of the “chat” is usually at least somewhat sexual in nature and can be used against you. The stakes have risen dramatically, however, with the passage in 2005 of a 5 year mandatory minimum sentence upon conviction.
The State must prove 4 elements:
Identity theft crimes are becoming more and more commonplace. It is even possible for someone to be charged with this crime because someone else is stealing your identity to perpetuate the fraud. The defense in these kinds of cases must be extremely diligent and thorough in order to ensure that records are legitimate and not fraudulent.
Birdsall Obear & Associates LLC
Milwaukee: (414) 831-5465
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