Computer Crimes

Federal, Dallas County and Tarrant County Computer Crime Attorneys

Examples of computer or Internet crimes include possession of child pornography, identity fraud, and financial fraud.  Other crimes may involve computer evidence, such as e-mail messages or files stored on a computer hard disk drive.  If you have been charged with crime that involves computers, mobile devices e.g. cell phones or the Internet, it’s important to hire a lawyer who understands computer evidence.

This firm defended the largest child pornography case in the United States.  From our experience handling that case, and from the computer experts we engaged to assist us, we have a better understanding of computer evidence that many criminal defense lawyers.

Sometimes there are explanations for evidence contained on a computer that aren’t readily apparent unless you have a good working knowledge of computers, data storage and other computer forensics. We have access to certified computer examiners to assist us with the highly technical aspects of these cases.  Many people think that deleting an image or file on a computer will cause it to go away. This is not true.  The file remains in unallocated space on the hard disk drive, unless it is overwritten with other data.  Such evidence can be recovered by sophisticated law enforcement forensic software like EnCase and others.

Internet child pornography cases are very difficult to defend because the jurors can see the images of children being assaulted.  The district attorney’s office in Tarrant County is very aggressive is prosecuting child pornography cases.  Plea offers seldom involve probation, but rather prison confinement.  Many child pornography and other computer crimes are prosecuted in Federal court.  The application of the United States Sentencing Guidelines provides harsh sentences imposed by Federal Judges.  At Ball & Hase, we have considerable experience in these Federal cases and have researched extensively the sentencing guidelines and their application to these offenses.  Legal research and recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court provide sound arguments for Federal sentences well below the guideline recommendations.  As most people also know, there is mandatory sex offender registrations associated with convictions for child pornography crimes.

Whenever a case hinges on computer evidence, you should engage a competent criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to examine the case and prepare a defense.  At Ball & Hase, we have the experience and expertise to defend you in these cases.

Free consultation:  If you have been chard with a computer crime, contact a Board-Certified Criminal attorney at Ball & Hase in Arlington.  In an emergency, call 817.860.5000.  We answer calls 24 hours a day.