Pennsylvania federal computer fraud lawyer

There are many potential penalties when convicted of federal computer fraud in Pennsylvania, which depend heavily on the conduct involved. For example offenses involving trespassing in a government computer can carry one to ten years in prison, while obtaining national security information through a government computer can result in ten to 20 years. Other offenses involving accessing and obtaining computer information, computer extortion, or password trafficking can also result in substantial federal prison sentences.

Federal computer fraud allegations can therefore expose a defendant to serious consequences, particularly when government systems, financial institutions, sensitive information, or attempts to obtain information are unlawfully involved. Because the potential sentence varies according to the specific computer activity alleged, the exact charge and circumstances of the case can play an important role in determining the penalties a defendant could face under federal law, underscoring the importance of working with an experienced federal computer fraud charges attorney when facing these types of charges.

Where federal computer fraud charges are prosecuted in Pennsylvania

Federal computer fraud crimes in Pennsylvania are prosecuted in the federal court system, with cases generally handled in one of the state’s three U.S. District Courts based on where the alleged offense occurred. Philadelphia is a major court location for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Harrisburg for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. All three federal judicial districts in Pennsylvania fall within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The specific district and court location where a federal computer fraud case is prosecuted generally depends on where the alleged criminal conduct occurred and the counties served by that district.