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Use of the Internet to Commit a Crime |
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This catch-all crime is used whenever a computer is used to do something that would be a crime even if a computer was not used.
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Examples: |
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Sending child pornography to a friend through the internet.
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Sending an email saying you are someone’s parent, even though you are not.
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Penalties: |
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The penalties for use of the internet to commit a crime depend on the severity of the underlying crime committed.
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From up to 1 year in jail to 20 years in prison and/or from $1,000 to $20,000
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Defenses: |
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No use of a computer: |
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The definition of a computer and the internet is defined by statute, not everything will fall into this definition (it is unclear if some cell phones are considered a computer). |
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Innocence of the underlying crime: |
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If the person being charged is innocent of the underlying crime, they cannot be guilty of using the internet or a computer to commit it. |
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Jury Instruction |
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No standard jury instruction
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Related Topics |
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