What are the consequences of cybercrimes in new jersey?

In recent years, New Jersey and other states have amended their criminal statutes to outlaw various behaviors that take place over the internet. Law enforcement and prosecutors in New Jersey treat cybercrimes as seriously as other types of criminal activity. As a result, conviction for a cybercrime can carry some significant consequences. 

Examples of Cybercrimes under New Jersey Law

Some of the more common examples of cybercrimes under New Jersey law include:

• Identity theft, which may involve pretending to be another person or to represent an organization for the purpose of defrauding others, or obtaining someone’s personal information for the purpose of assuming their identity online to obtain some benefit, avoid a debt or legal obligation, or commit a crime under their identity
• Credit card fraud, including making false statements to obtain a credit card, stealing credit card information, using another’s credit card information without authorization, or forging/counterfeiting credit card information for use online
• Cyber-harassment/cyberstalking/cyberbullying, which involves making threats to harm someone else or their property or sending lewd or indecent or obscene material with the intent to inflict emotional harm
• Hacking, which includes both accessing another’s computer or computer system without permission, or copying, altering, or destroying the data on someone else’s computer system
• Internet sex crimes, including soliciting prostitution, luring a minor, or possessing or distributing child pornography

What Are the Potential Penalties for a Cybercrime Conviction?

Most cybercrimes in New Jersey are charged as an indictable offense, also called felonies in other jurisdictions. Indictable offenses are graded anywhere from a fourth-degree crime to a first-degree crime. The grading of a cybercrime will depend on the seriousness of the offense, with more serious offenses including those involving substantial monetary loss, threats of physical harm, or harm to children. 

Sentencing ranges in New Jersey include:

• First-degree crime: 10 to 20 years plus a potential fine of up to $200,000
• Second-degree crime: Five to 10 years plus up to $150,000 in possible fines
• Third-degree crime: Three to five years in prison plus up to $15,000 in fines
• Fourth-degree crime: Up to 18 months imprisonment plus up to $10,000 in potential fines

In addition, convicted defendants may also be ordered to pay restitution to victims to cover the financial losses they incurred due to the crime. 

Long-Term Consequences of a Conviction

Even after a defendant has completed a prison sentence and/or paid fines for a conviction for a cybercrime, they may still face other long-term consequences of their conviction. First, a criminal record can have a serious negative impact on a person’s ability to apply for and obtain employment, housing, or educational opportunities. Only in certain circumstances can someone convicted of a cybercrime be able to obtain an expungement of their New Jersey conviction.

In addition, a conviction for many internet sex crimes may result in the imposition of the requirement to register as a sex offender. Depending on the crime, this requirement may last for the rest of a defendant’s life. In serious cases, this can also subject an offender to lifetime supervision, including restrictions on where they can live or their ability to access the internet. 

Contact an Experienced Clark Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Cybercrime Charges in New Jersey

Were you arrested or charged with cybercrimes in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at Team Law have successfully represented clients charged with cybercrimes in Clifton, Trenton, Camden, Passaic, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 136 Central Ave., Clark, NJ 07066, as well as offices located in West New York, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.