Computer Cyber Offenses

Investigated for a computer or cyber offense in Florida? We handle unauthorized access, data interference, malware allegations, and digital evidence challenges under Florida’s Computer Crimes Act and the federal CFAA—fast, discreet, defense-first.

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Computer / cyber crimes can be charged in Florida state court under §815.06 (offenses against users of computers) and §815.04 (offenses against intellectual property), or federally under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. §1030). Early counsel helps control your exposure, preserve favorable digital artifacts, and push back on overbroad warrants or “exceeds authorization” theories.

Common Florida Computer / Cyber Charges

Unauthorized access to a computer, system, network, or device (§815.06).
Introducing malware / “computer contaminants” or making data unavailable (§815.04).
Altering, damaging, destroying, or taking data, programs, or documentation (§815.04).
Exceeding authorized access or accessing a “protected computer” (federal: 18 U.S.C. §1030).

Phishing, credential abuse, or password trafficking (often paired with identity or access device crimes).
Doxing or unauthorized data disclosure (state or federal, depending on conduct and victims).
Interference with critical infrastructure / utilities (see Chapter 815 index and §815.061).
Conspiracy related to cyber offenses, or identity theft overlaps.

Key definitions (e.g., “computer contaminant”) appear in §815.03.

Penalties & Exposure

Florida penalties depend on conduct and loss thresholds. Unauthorized access may be a third-degree felony; higher degrees can apply if losses exceed statutory amounts, government operations are affected, or victims suffer harm (§815.06). Federal penalties under 18 U.S.C. §1030 can include fines, forfeiture, and prison, often hinging on “unauthorized access,” intent, and valuation.

Defenses We Use in Cyber Cases

Authorization & scope: showing consent, implied authorization, or policy ambiguity; distinguishing mere terms-of-service issues from crimes.
Intent & knowledge: negating “knowingly” or “willfully”; good-faith security research; lack of fraudulent purpose.
Attribution: challenging IP logs, shared devices, MAC/IP spoofing, and time drift; exposing chain-of-custody gaps.
Search & seizure: moving to suppress overbroad warrants, unlawful device imaging, or stale probable cause.
Loss valuation: disputing loss calculations that drive felony degree, restitution, and guidelines.
Digital forensics: independent review of images, logs, mobile artifacts, and cloud metadata; selective extraction challenges.

If Agents Contact You or You Receive a Subpoena

Do not give a statement without counsel. Politely request a lawyer and stop the interview.
Preserve devices and accounts; do not wipe or alter data. Bring subpoenas, letters, or warrants to us immediately.
We coordinate expert preservation and negotiate scope to avoid fishing expeditions.

Serving Central Florida

We defend computer and cyber allegations across Central Florida, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Brevard counties.

Next Step: Before you speak with agents or click “send,” talk to us. Call 407-214-3837 or request a confidential consult. See recent case results and learn about our credentials. We also handle asset forfeiture issues and record sealing/expungement when eligible.

Computer / Cyber Offenses FAQ

Is violating a website’s Terms of Service a crime?
Not by itself. Prosecutors must prove the required mental state and elements under Florida law or the CFAA; mere policy violations often are not enough.

Can the state search my entire phone or cloud account?
Not without lawful scope and particularity. We challenge overbroad warrants and suppress unlawfully obtained data where appropriate.

What if multiple people used the same device or Wi-Fi?
Attribution is key. We examine logs, timestamps, router records, and artifacts to show reasonable doubt about “who” performed the act.

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