The age of the internet has led to the creation of a digital frontier. As its power and influence have grown, people have learned to use the internet for dishonest and fraudulent activities that legislators have been struggling to keep up with. As such, laws around the internet and crypto crimes continue to change.
This means it’s not always easy to stay informed about what’s considered an online crime in North Carolina and what sort of penalties you can face when you commit one. Many crypto crimes can be charged in state or federal court, which is why it’s essential to work with a firm with experience in both.
Internet Crimes in North Carolina
The power of the internet has led to many different types of online criminal activity. Some of these crimes, like hacking, are unique to the internet. Others, like cyberstalking, are online versions of activities that are already illegal. Some of the most common North Carolina internet crimes to be aware of include:
- Cyberstalking
- Online harassment
- Online extortion
- Identity theft
- Hacking
- Fraud
- Child pornography
- Financial scams
State law enforcement bodies are responsible for investigating internet crimes, with certain agencies handling certain types of crime. For example, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) oversees computer crimes against children. If you’re arrested for an internet crime, you face criminal penalties in North Carolina that can include jail time, hefty fines, and other legal consequences.
Crypto Crimes in North Carolina
Crypto crimes are a subset of internet crimes. Specifically, this phrase refers to criminal activity involving cryptocurrencies. The anonymity afforded by cryptocurrency makes it a popular choice for handling the financial aspect of crimes that don’t occur online. In addition, certain actions involving the use of cryptocurrency can also be illegal.
Some of the most common crypto crimes to be aware of in North Carolina include:
- Cryptocurrency theft
- Cryptocurrency scams
- Cryptocurrency malware
- Money laundering using cryptocurrencies
- Illegal purchases made with cryptocurrency
Crypto crimes often intersect with internet crimes. Like many other states, North Carolina primarily handles crypto crimes by relying on existing legislation. Depending on the nature of a crime involving cryptocurrencies, potential criminal charges might include theft, fraud, or another type of financial crime.
A North Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help
Internet and crypto crimes are on the rise. These types of criminal activities are often intentional. That said, it’s also possible to find yourself charged with an online crime you didn’t intend to commit. Whatever the reason or the specific offense, if you find yourself being charged with an internet or crypto crime in North Carolina, it’s important to find a skilled lawyer.
Online crimes are taken just as seriously as those that occur in real life. If you’re convicted of an internet or crypto crime, you can find yourself facing penalties that include years in prison and significant fines.
Online crimes are unique, and not all lawyers have experience handling them. That’s why it’s important to ask your lawyer whether they have experience successfully representing clients accused of crimes involving internet activity or cryptocurrency. When you’re arrested for a crime that happened over the internet, you need to hire a North Carolina criminal defense lawyer with internet crime experience right away.