Internet Crime Lawyer in Calgary

Have Crown prosecutors charged you with an internet crime in Calgary? Internet crimes have become a focus for law enforcement and prosecutors in recent years. These crimes can carry significant penalties, including substantial fines and years in jail or prison. After getting charged with an internet crime, you deserve experienced legal counsel who can help you navigate your criminal case and fight for the best possible outcome to your charges.

When law enforcement investigators have arrested you for internet crimes in Calgary, get the legal help you need to protect your rights and interests when facing prosecution. Contact Alberta Legal for a free initial case evaluation to speak with an internet crime lawyer in Calgary to understand your legal options and learn how our firm will pursue a favorable resolution to your legal charges. Our team offers every client the dedicated counsel, advocacy, and personal service they need during this trying time.

Canadian law covers various criminal offences occurring on the Internet. Some of the most common examples of internet-based crimes include:

• Child pornography offences: The Criminal Code of Canada makes it a crime to transmit, distribute, sell, advertise, import/export, or possess for distribution any child pornography. A person may also commit a crime by possessing or accessing child pornography.
• Identity theft: A person commits identity theft if they obtain or possess another person’s identity information with the intent to use it to commit an indictable offence that involves fraud, deceit, or falsehood as an element of the offense. Most offenders obtain other people’s identity information over the Internet, whether through hacking or intercepting Internet communications or engaging in phishing schemes to obtain such information from the person.
• Credit card fraud: A person commits a crime if they forge or falsify a credit card or use/possess/traffic credit cards or forged credit cards. Credit card fraud can become an internet crime when an individual uses or traffics in stolen or forged/false credit card information over the Internet.
• Interception of communications: The law prohibits using any device to knowingly intercept a private communication without the consent or authorization of the sender or recipient
• Unauthorized use of a computer: A person commits a criminal offence if they fraudulently obtain any computer service, intercept any function of a computer system, use a computer system with the intent to commit an offence relating to computer data or systems, or use/possess/traffic another party’s computer passwords that would enable a person to commit an offence.

A conviction for an internet crime in Calgary can result in various consequences depending on the nature and severity of the crime. Many internet crimes qualify as hybrid crimes, allowing the Crown prosecution to proceed with an indictment or a summary conviction.

A summary conviction can result in a sentence of up to two years less one day in jail, a fine of up to $5000, or both fines and incarceration. Should the Crown choose to indict a defendant for an internet crime, maximum sentences for offences range between five and 14 years depending on the offence.

A conviction can result in other penalties for an offender, such as sex offender registration obligations for child pornography offences, or restitution obligations that require defendants to reimburse victims for the financial losses caused by their crimes.

A criminal conviction can also result in a social stigma that follows an individual even after they’ve completed their sentence, potentially adversely affecting personal relationships or the ability to pursue employment, housing, or educational opportunities.

Defending yourself against charges of internet crimes requires highly experienced legal counsel familiar with the technical issues in internet crime cases. The cybercrime lawyers at Alberta Legal can help you stand up for your rights and reputation as you face prosecution for internet crimes by:

• Independently investigating your charges to secure all available evidence in your case.
• Evaluating the facts and evidence to identify potential defence strategies.
• Sitting down with you to explain your charges, the potential outcomes of your case, and what to expect at each stage of a prosecution.
• Vigorously contesting the Crown prosecution’s case, including applying to exclude evidence that investigators may have obtained in violation of your rights.
• Fighting for your rights and innocence at trial if you choose to contest your charges.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may have various defence strategies you can pursue to challenge the prosecution’s case and pursue a favorable resolution of your charges. Common defences raised against internet crime charges include:

• Lack of intent: Defendants may claim they did not have the required criminal intent under the charged statute.
• Mistaken identity: Defendants may deny they committed the charged offence, arguing that someone else using their computer system or IP address committed the crime.
• Consent: In some cases, such as those involving an interception of data, a defendant may argue that the alleged victim consented to the interception.
• Violation of Charter rights: Defendants may file applications to exclude evidence from the Crown prosecution’s case because law enforcement investigators violated the defendant’s Charter rights to obtain that evidence.

Facing Charges? We can help!