Cyber Crimes Attorney in Jacksonville

Criminal Defense for Computer Crime Charges in Duval County

A cyber crime allegation moves fast. Law enforcement agencies use digital devices and electronic subpoenas before most people realize they’re under investigation. At Owenby Law, P.A., our criminal defense attorneys have handled thousands of cases across Jacksonville for over two decades, and our team brings more than 125 years of combined legal experience to every matter we take on.

Florida’s Computer Crimes Act: Chapter 815

Florida takes computer-related crime seriously at the legislative level. The Florida Computer Crimes Act, codified in Chapter 815 of the Florida Statutes, divides offenses into two categories: crimes against intellectual property and crimes against computer users. The Florida Legislature has recognized that losses from computer-related crime tend to exceed losses from other white-collar offenses, which is reflected in the statute’s penalty structure.

Types of Cyber Crime Charges in Florida

Chapter 815 covers a wide range of conduct, and prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. The charges carry real weight.

• Unauthorized Access (Hacking): Gaining entry to a computer, system, or network without permission, regardless of whether data was taken or damaged.
• Identity Theft: Unlawfully obtaining or using another person’s personal or financial information without consent.
• Cyberstalking: Repeated harassment or threats made through electronic communication, charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on whether a credible threat of violence is involved.
• Phishing and Online Fraud: Schemes designed to deceive people into revealing sensitive personal or financial information.
• Intellectual Property Offenses: Theft, damage, or unauthorized dissemination of protected property such as trade secrets or software.
• Offenses Against Public Services: Disrupting or damaging government or public utility computer systems.

Penalties for Cyber Crime Convictions in Florida

Florida’s penalty structure scales with the severity of the offense and the dollar amount of damage involved, ranging from misdemeanor fines to decades in prison.

• First-Degree Misdemeanor: Certain computer equipment offenses carry up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Third-Degree Felony: Unauthorized access, hacking, or intellectual property offenses are typically charged here, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• Second-Degree Felony: When damage totals at least $5,000, involves a scheme to defraud, or disrupts public services, penalties increase to up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• First-Degree Felony: The most serious offenses, such as those endangering human life, can result in up to 30 years in prison and fines of $10,000 or more.

How Cyber Crime Cases Are Investigated in Jacksonville

Not every computer crime allegation becomes a federal case. Many are charged and prosecuted at the state level under Florida law and proceed through the Duval County court system. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Cybercrime Office handles investigations into cyber and internet crime allegations statewide. These investigations typically involve forensic analysis of digital devices, collection of electronic records, and subpoenas to internet service providers, often before any charges are formally filed. Understanding how that evidence was gathered is central to building a defense.

Why Jacksonville Clients Choose Owenby Law, P.A. for Cyber Crime Defense

Cyber crime cases hinge on technical evidence and prosecutorial strategy. Our team-based approach means your defense draws on multiple attorneys working together to evaluate the evidence, identify weaknesses in the state’s case, and build a strategy around your specific circumstances.

Senior Attorney Dustin Nemati is a former prosecutor with extensive trial experience in misdemeanor and felony cases. That background gives us direct insight into how the state evaluates and builds these charges, shaping how we approach the defense from the start. We don’t apply generic strategies. We tailor our approach to what actually happened in your case, with an eye toward both the immediate charge and the long-term consequences a conviction could create.