Miami Intellectual Property Cases
Offenses Against Intellectual Property
If you are accused of an intellectual property crime, you will need a lawyer that is not only determined to fight on your behalf but who also has an intimate knowledge of this area. At Seltzer Law, PA we have taught Demystifying Cyber Crimes at Florida Judicial College for several years, been rated as Avvo Excellent and voted a Rising Star in 2010. We are ready to put our experience to work towards producing a criminal defense that will result in a favorable outcome to your case.
With most of the world's information now stored on computers, including trade secrets, intellectual property and public records, the Florida state legislature has passed laws to protect that information. Offenses against intellectual property in Florida means willfully, knowingly and without authorization taking, changing or destroying information on a computer or a network. A Miami criminal defense lawyer and former Miami-Dade Cyber Crime Prosecutor from our firm can help you understand how this applies to your own case.
Felony Charges for Computer Offenses
An offense against intellectual property is a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to five years in prison for each time the computer or network is accessed. It is not duplicitous or double jeopardy to charge multiple counts for multiple access dates or points for the same series of events. If prosecutors believe the intent was to commit a scheme to defraud victims or obtain property, the crime is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. These are grave charges and you should always fight them with the help of a well-versed attorney.
Cybercrime (computer crime) is an evolving area of the law. The statutes and how the legal community interprets them continue to change and grow, to try to keep up with advances in technology. Frequently, intellectual property charges stem from misunderstandings, whereby people believe they are authorized to access certain documents for their jobs. Only later do they discover that they are faced with criminal charges. It is very important to understand your employer's computer policies and procedures before you begin to use the system. If you are not sure whether you can access a certain file or network, ask your supervisor before doing so and do it in writing or via email.
Act quickly; let a determined former cybercrime prosecutor work to protect your freedoms and reputation. You can reach us each day of the week, 24 hours a day to set up a free, confidential consultation and begin securing your legal rights. Whether you are located in Florida or anywhere in the nation, call today or contact us online.
For more information, see Florida Statute 815.04: Offenses against intellectual property; public records exemption.
Contact a Miami criminal defense attorney to learn your legal defense options if you are being prosecuted for an intellectual property crime.