If you are facing questions or charges related to your online actions, you are likely feeling extreme anxiety. It is a frightening realization that activity conducted from your computer in Orlando can escalate into a serious federal case involving the FBI, the Department of Justice, and mandatory prison time. The simple truth is that yes, your online activity can lead to federal criminal charges. The internet does not stop at state lines, and when your case crosses state borders—which almost all online actions do—the U.S. government can get involved. We want you to know that while the stakes are high, you have rights, and a determined defense can be built to protect your future.
If you or a loved one is under investigation for or charged with an online federal crime, your defense must begin immediately. Protect your rights and your future now.
Call Ali & Blankner immediately at (407) 753-1312 or reach out through our confidential contact form: Contact Us Today.
What Makes an Online Crime "Federal"?
Many people think a crime is only "federal" if it involves big government buildings or international spies. In reality, what makes an online activity a federal crime is that it affects interstate commerce, which means anything that crosses state lines.
Because the internet, by its nature, connects computers across all 50 states and beyond, nearly any crime committed using a computer, phone, or the internet can be charged by federal authorities. The FBI, the Secret Service, and other U.S. agencies have the power to charge you if your activity meets just one of a few simple criteria:
- The activity crosses state borders: For example, sending a fraudulent email from Florida to someone in Georgia.
- The activity involves a federal agency or service: For example, filing a false claim with Medicare or using the U.S. mail system (mail fraud).
- The crime violates a specific federal law: For example, an offense violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), which involves crimes with computers.
When a crime becomes federal, the rules, evidence, and potential punishments are much more serious than in a state court case.
Common Online Federal Crimes We Defend
The list of activities that could result in an online federal crime charge is long and grows constantly as technology changes. Our firm defends people accused of a wide range of these charges.
Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
This is one of the most common federal charges. Wire fraud is simply using the internet, phone, or any electronic communication to carry out a scheme to defraud or trick someone out of money or property. Mail fraud is the same concept, but uses the U.S. Postal Service.
- This is often added to charges like identity theft or bank fraud because nearly every scam uses email or phone calls to work.
- Wire and mail fraud penalties are severe and often include mandatory restitution (paying back the money) and prison time.
Computer Hacking and Unauthorized Access (CFAA)
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) makes it illegal to access a computer or network without permission or to damage a computer. This applies to activities like:
- Breaking into a company's server.
- Stealing customer data or trade secrets.
- Using "denial of service" attacks to crash a website.
The law is complicated because what counts as "unauthorized access" can be open to argument, especially if you were a current or former employee.
Online Child Exploitation and Pornography
The federal government takes cases involving children and the internet extremely seriously. These crimes often involve long, mandatory minimum prison sentences. Federal agents often build these cases by carefully tracking digital footprints, including IP addresses, chat logs, and file-sharing activity.
Why Federal Charges Are So Serious
When you face an online federal crime charge, you need an assertive defense immediately. Federal charges are uniquely serious for several reasons, and the process is far more complex than a typical state court case in Orlando.
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines: The federal system uses strict, complex guidelines to calculate punishment. These guidelines often result in much longer prison sentences than state courts.
- Investigative Power: Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, and Secret Service have vast resources and spend months, sometimes years, building their cases. They are extremely thorough and confident in the evidence they present.
- Mandatory Minimums: Many federal crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences. This means a judge's power to reduce the sentence is limited, no matter how sympathetic your situation is.
- No Parole: In the federal system, there is no parole. Some prisoners may earn good-time credits or quality for supervised release after prison. That said, if you are sentenced to ten years, you will likely serve that entire ten years
These factors make it urgent to have a determined legal team working from the very first moment of the investigation.
Your Defense Strategy Starts Now
If you suspect you are under investigation or have been arrested for an online federal crime, the best thing to do is to assert your rights and control the situation immediately.
Here are the crucial steps you must follow:
- Be Silent: Do not talk to the FBI or any federal agent, even if they say they are "just asking questions" or that talking will help you. They are not required to be honest with you. Your constitutional right to remain silent is your strongest defense tool.
- Do Not Destroy Evidence: As tempting as it may be, do not delete emails, destroy computers, or remove files. Tampering with evidence is a separate federal felony charge.
- Refuse Consent: Do not consent to any search of your computer, phone, email accounts, or home. Always demand that agents produce a search warrant.
- Contact an Attorney: Call us immediately. We can intervene directly with the agents and prosecutors, ensuring your rights are respected and all future communication goes through us.
The Defense Against Online Federal Crime Charges
When facing federal crimes charges, you need a defense prepared to challenge highly technical and complex digital evidence. Our approach focuses on the weakest links in the prosecution’s chain.
Challenging the Warrant and Search
We begin by challenging the federal warrant used to seize your computers or data. We look for procedural flaws, arguing that the warrant was overly broad or that the government lacked probable cause to search your digital life. If the warrant is found invalid, the evidence collected may be thrown out.
Disputing Digital Evidence
Digital evidence is not perfect. We work with forensic experts to challenge the validity and interpretation of the data, arguing:
- The timing or location data (IP address) does not conclusively prove you were the person online.
- The data was tampered with or corrupted after being seized by the government.
- There are reasonable explanations for the data found that do not involve criminal intent.
Fighting the Element of Intent
Most federal charges require the government to prove you had criminal intent—meaning you knew you were breaking the law and intended to do harm. If we can show that your actions were a mistake, an accident, or based on a misunderstanding of the rules, the charge can be dismissed.
Orlando Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Facing a federal charge for online federal crime is intimidating, but your fight for freedom begins with a confident first step. Our firm has the resolve and experience necessary to take on these high-stakes cases in Orlando. We are here to help and protect your rights from the moment an investigation begins.
We are prepared to stand with you, challenge the vast resources of the federal government, and build a defense focused on preserving your future.
Contact Ali & Blankner right now for a full, confidential case review. Call us at (407) 753-1312 or visit our comprehensive Federal Crimes section to learn more about how we challenge complex charges.