Monday, October 10, 2011

Computer Forensics

Computer Forensics Expert and Virginia computer expert witness - Computer forensics expertise is critical in formulating a defense to cyber crime accusations.  In some cases, we apply our legal expertise to these cases.  In other cases, we apply our expertise in computer forensics to assist attorneys who are representing individuals accused of computer crimes.  (In Virginia, our computer forensics expert services are provided through our affiliate company, AVM Technology, LLC and no attorney-client relationship is created with us although our work may qualify as attorney work product through the attorney in charge of the case).
Certified Computer Examiner

Tasks for which an attorney defending an individual of cyber crime may call a computer forensics expert may include hard drive examination, evidence analysis, independent investigation, data recovery, and counter forensics.  Counter-forensics involves reviewing forensic reports and images of digital evidence acquired by law enforcement.  Our analysis will focus on ensuring that law enforcement followed generally acceptable computer forensics procedures.  We also assist the defense attorney in performing a comprehensive review of the evidence, including exculpatory material that the law enforcement examiner may "miss."

We can provide computer forensics assistance to attorneys representing individuals accused of various computer crimes, including:

  • Criminal computer hacking, or computer unauthorized access – Computer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of hacking, unauthorized access or violations of the Computer Trespassing and Computer Fraud statutes.

  • Computer solicitation of a minor over the InternetComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of using communications devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors.  Most of these charges involve police officers posing as minors in Internet chat rooms, Yahoo being the most popular law enforcement site.

  • Internet identity theft and aggravated identity theftComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of  Identity Theft, aggravated identity theft, trafficking access devices, stolen credit cards, or social security numbers.

  • Internet violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Access Device Fraud, and Trafficking in PasswordsComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of  violating the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

  • Internet violation of the Virginia Computer crime statutesComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of  violating Virginia cyber crime statutes.

  • Virginia computer trespass under the Virginia Computer Crimes ActComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of computer trespass in Virginia.

  • Virginia computer fraud under the Virginia Computer Crimes ActComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of Virginia computer fraud.

  • Theft of computer services under the Virginia Computer Crimes ActComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of computer services theft.

  • Computer embezzlement under the Virginia Computer Crimes ActComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of computer embezzlement.

  • Computer as an instrument of forgery under the Virginia Computer Crimes Act

  • Possession of Internet child pornographyComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of possession or distribution of child pornography.  These cases may involve issues related to file sharing software that are highly technical in nature. 

  • Criminal computer invasion of privacy under the Virginia Computer Crimes Act

  • Cyber stalkingComputer forensics expertise, including expert testimony at trial to assist attorneys in defending against charges of cyber stalking.  These cases may be complicated, especially when the prosecution is based on unclear allegations and paper based evidence printouts.  Unless challenged with the appropriate expertise, the Court may accept these printouts as evidence, resulting in a conviction.

  • Criminal Copyright Infringement – An improperly channeled entrepreneurial spirit could cost you… downloading, sharing, or selling songs, movies, software, documents, or other files may cost you a Federal prison sentence.  We can assist you with our experience in Computer forensics and technology.  We obtained the first jury not guilty verdict in a Federal Internet music piracy case.


When you need the assistance of a Virginia computer forensics expert, or a computer expert witness, we assist Virginia lawyers handling computer crime cases throughout Virginia including without limitation Fairfax County, Henrico County, Richmond City, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Petersburg County, Prince William County, Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Quantico, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, Amelia, Powhatan, Goochland, Louisa, Manassas, Woodbridge, Charles City, James City, Gloucester, Portsmouth, Shenandoah, Prince George, Sussex, New Kent, West End of Richmond, Glen Allen, Federal Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Richmond, Alexandria, Norfolk, and Newport News Divisions).

 

Monday, May 23, 2011

Computer Harassment

Computer Harassment Defense Attorney in Virginia

Sometimes individuals engage in disagreements via email or via a website.  Sometimes it is almost impossible to determine who started.  However, most people are unaware that sending curse words to another via e-mail or on a website (or though the use of any computer or computer network) is considered a crime in Virginia.  The statute that addresses computer harassment in Virginia is as follows:

§ 18.2-152.7:1. Harassment by computer; penalty.

If any person, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass any person, shall use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature, or threaten any illegal or immoral act, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

If you are accused of harassment by computer in Virginia, you may contact us for a computer harassment in Virginia attorney consultation.