In Arizona, a broad spectrum of criminal offenses can be considered internet or “cyber crimes.” The first thing that may come to mind is computer hacking, but many other crimes can be committed using the internet. If you've been charged with an internet crime in Arizona, you need to find a criminal defense attorney that understands both the law and the technology involved in these types of crimes.

Internet Crime Laws in Arizona

Arizona criminalizes a range of internet activity, from white-collar offenses to internet sex crimes. Solicitation of a minor and child pornography charges often stem from alleged online actions. A conviction for a sex offense can lead to substantial prison time and sex offender registration once you are released.

These offenses aren't the only way to can get arrested for using the internet. Identity theft and other fraud offenses commonly take place online, as well as illegal sales and downloading.

Types of Internet Crimes under Arizona Law

Internet crimes in Arizona generally fall into one of three categories:

• Online financial crimes
• Illegally sharing or accessing information online
• Internet sex crimes.

While the seriousness of internet crimes varies greatly depending on the offense you are charged with, a strong defense requires an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows and understands the complexities of how the internet actually works.

Types of Online Financial Crimes in Arizona

Online financial crimes generally involve using the internet to illegally obtain an economic benefit, often through deceit, manipulation, or exploiting technology. The most common internet financial crimes are detailed below.

Internet Fraud

It is a criminal offense in Arizona to trick, mislead, or otherwise defraud someone else to gain a material benefit from them. It doesn’t matter if you do it online or face-to-face; fraud is fraud.

For example, you may have received a spam email at some point from someone claiming to be a Nigerian prince or government worker. The email will offer you a considerable sum at a later date in exchange for a small amount of cash that will allegedly enable them to get the funds out of Nigeria. In reality, this is a scam, and the perpetrators will pocket the money they receive and disappear.

Credit Card Fraud

The internet is an excellent source for people looking to obtain credit card numbers. With so much shopping occurring online, people sometimes enter their account numbers into unsecured websites without knowing it. Credit card information can also be stolen by hacking into large websites or personal computers and obtaining stored credit card information. Once the credit card information is taken, it can be used to make fraudulent purchases.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when one person steals someone else's identity to obtain money or credit in their name. The internet is a prime location for identity theft, as unsuspecting people often share their personal information when they shouldn't. Identity thieves can also use the internet to easily open fraudulent credit card accounts or personal loans using illegally-obtained social security numbers, dates of birth, and other personal information.

Internet Auction Fraud

A crime that can only be committed online, internet auction fraud occurs when someone lists a product (that they don’t actually have) for sale on an online auction site such as eBay and receives payment. Internet auction sites are also chock-full of counterfeit "knockoff" products.

False or Incomplete Internet Transactions

Comparable to internet auction fraud, this offense involves a business or individual fraudulently or intentionally failing to their part of an agreed-upon purchase transaction. An example of this crime could be selling a product on the internet but never sending it to the people who purchased it, despite collecting and keeping their money.

Illegally Sharing or Accessing Information Online

Another category of internet crime in Arizona includes illegally distributing or receiving information, files, or other internet data.

Illegal Downloading

If you download a "pirated" song, movie, tv-show, or another type of copyrighted media and do not pay, you have committed illegal downloading. Similarly, distributing copyrighted media files online without the copyright holder's consent is also a criminal offense.

Computer Hacking

While the technological aspects of computer hacking are complicated, the definition is pretty straightforward. Hacking involves digitally breaking into someone else’s personal computer, a company server, or a computer network security system for any sort of illicit or illegal purpose.

Internet Sex Crimes in Arizona

On top of the white-collar crimes the internet enables, online offenses often involve sex crimes, particularly against children. Several of the most common internet sex offenses people can be charged with are listed below.

Internet Child Pornography

In Arizona, any email, photo, video, or other media file that includes indecent images of a person under age 18 could be considered child pornography. Child pornography charges are serious, and you can sometimes face charges for simply opening an email attachment with an image or clicking on a link to a website.

Solicitation of a Minor Online

Online solicitation of a minor involves asking a child or teenager to engage in online sexual activities, sexual conversation, or to share personal sexual information on the internet. This online solicitation can lead to a request for offline sexual contact, but it does not have to. You can be arrested solely for your online actions.

Sexting, Sexual Emails, and Sexual Online Messaging

Sexting, which includes sending nude or sexual photos, has become common for many young people. However, if you send or receive sexual or indecent pictures of a minor, you could be charged with an internet sex offense in Arizona.

Other Internet Sex Offenses

These are just a few of the sex crimes people can be charged with for their online activities. Other examples include:

• Cyberstalking, including making unwanted sexual advances
• Sextortion (blackmailing someone by threatening to release nude photos)
• Online solicitation of prostitution
• Advertising prostitution online

What Are the Penalties for Online Crimes in Arizona?

Since the classification “internet crimes” includes such a broad range of offenses, the potential consequences vary from comparatively minor to extremely grave. Depending on the offense you are charged with, penalties in Arizona can include:

Prison Sentence

Many internet crimes can be charged as felony offenses, which almost always require a sentence that includes some jail time.

Fines and Other Monetary Penalties

The court may order that you pay (sometimes substantial) fines, restitution for any financial crimes, and court costs resulting from your conviction of an internet offense.

Sex Offender Registration

Convictions for some online sex offenses require sex offender registration after release from jail, such as child pornography or soliciting a minor. Being listed as a registered sex offender not only restricts your career and housing options, but it can also alienate you from the community and create a stigma that may stay with you for the rest of your life.

As you can see, the potential criminal penalties for online offenses can be severe. If you have been arrested for an internet crime, you should consult with an Arizona criminal defense lawyer who has specific experience defending against these types of charges. Internet crimes often require specialized technical knowledge for an attorney to properly assess your case and advise you on your potential defenses.