• Top 1% of Defence Law Firms

  • Defended over 50,000 Cases

  • 5 star google reviews

  • 40 Years of Criminal Law Expertise

Given the FBI’s unparalleled experience and resources in pursuing hackers, the USA very quickly impedes on most medium to high profile investigations and seeks to extradite those accused of any computer hacking offences. The likelihood of being convicted in a US court is not only higher than in the UK, but the expected sentences are most often shockingly lengthy.

Hovering over someone’s shoulder and looking at their passwords to enter their online accounts is the most basic from of hack. Jailbreaking an iPhone is another type of hack. However, the most recognised and difficult form of hacking involves the relentless studying of a programme, identifying its weaknesses and creating software to exploit those weaknesses and deliver the ‘payload’.

As you read this, you may be feeling frightened and concerned about what might happen to you. The best action to help you to feel better immediately and to improve your situation is to take early action. Contact a computer hacking or cybercrime solicitor who is competent and experienced.

Have you been charged or arrested for computer hacking?

If you or somebody close to you has been arrested or charged with computer hacking, it’s likely that you’ll be feeling stressed and worried about having to speak to the police and potentially attend a court case. You’ll be wanting to know what the outcome is likely to be. Will you be imprisoned for your involvement in a cybercrime?

The benefit of engaging an experienced cybercrime solicitor is that they can examine your case, request to see evidence from the prosecutor and being crafting a strong defence strategy for you. It may even be possible to get your case dismissed so that you don’t ever progress to the court stage. Alternatively, there may be a way to negotiate outside of the court system.

Once you have a competent solicitor on your side, you will be feeling a sense of relief.

We’ve put together several questions that our clients ask with their answers below. If you have a question that isn’t listed, contact us for a no obligation chat and we will do our best to help. We aim to provide you with the legal guidance and support that you need.

What type of actions are considered computer hacking?

Some of our clients took actions that put them into trouble because they overstepped the mark when it came to computer hacking. Their interest led them to enrol in a course of ethical hacking but they then went too far and committed a crime.

There are three offences contained in the Computer Misuse Acts 1990, these are:

Unauthorised access to computer data – in some cases, our clients have been unwittingly caught up in an investigation without realising that their actions are unlawful.

Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of further offences – our legal team have the technical, legal and strategic experience to guide you every step of the way through your computer hacking investigation.

Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing – many cybercrimes are borderless by nature, you need legal assistance, cross-border disclosure and there may even be extradition involved in your case.

What happens in a Computer Hacking investigation?

When an investigation into a computer hacking event takes place, it is likely to be a forensic investigation into finding evidence to report the crime and create a case for conviction.

You’re likely to find this a worrying time in terms of wanting to know if you’re going to be imprisoned as a result. If you have dependents, you’ll be worried about whether they will have access to an income to house and feed them while you spend time imprisoned.

This is why it’s so important to take legal counsel in your computer hacking case. Every case is unique, and by engaging with cybercrime solicitors who have experience and legal knowledge, the better position you can put yourself and your family into.

Some cases can even be dismissed if you employ the right legal professionals who are specialists in this area.

You may have been falsely accused of computer hacking

In some instances, our clients have been falsely accused of computer hacking. When we look at the evidence from the prosecutor, we can see where an error has been made, and the case is not related to our client.

If you are in a situation like this, then we may be able to help you and get your case dismissed.

Instruct a legal professional as soon as possible

If you have been informed about an investigation taking place about you allegedly computer hacking, it’s crucial that you engage a specialist cybercrime lawyer to support and protect your interests. Whether you are a programmer, a software engineer or simply experimenting with software for educational and training purposes; if you are accused of developing such software or platforms, you must immediately seek the guidance of a specialist cybercrime solicitor.

If you reach the point of conviction, it is likely that you will have some financial costs and damages to pay and you may be given a prison sentence.

What should you do if you get arrested or charged with computer hacking?

Cybercrime law can be complicated, and it is something that can change regularly. Although it’s not compulsory for you to take legal representation, we recommend that you do so.

Our cybercrime legal team keep current with changes and review the changes that take place. You will have access to a knowledgeable legal professional and the most current information and will be provided with the best defence and advice. You will be supported throughout the entire process to ensure that you get the best outcome. Our team have the legal experience, technical know how and tactical expertise.

A computer hacking investigation is a form of a formal criminal investigation. It’s vital that you engage a solicitor to guide you and to protect your interests.

Hiring specialist legal knowledge will give you peace of mind. We advise that you get in touch with us as soon as you can so that we can analyse your case before it develops further.

Can the police search my home?

The police can search your home as they will be seeking evidence. The authorities will have granted access to your property, and the police will carry through the search as law enforcement offices. The search warrant will extend to cover your digital devices including your computer, smartphones and tablets in addition to any other data container.

What type of sentence could you get for computer hacking?

Depending on what you are convicted of, the sentence can be between 2 and 10 years imprisonment and in the most serious of offences, involving the making or supplying of materials to be used in computer hacking offences, the courts have the power even to impose a life sentence. Read more information about typical sentencing for computer hacking offences.

What mitigating factors may be considered in sentencing?

When sentencing for cybercrime offences, your case will be looked at for whether it’s part of a group activity that is making a significant amount of money or something you have done just for yourself or a couple of friends.

Your personal circumstances, your age, your role, the equipment used and the risks you exposed others to are all factors which will be taken into account by the judge.

Could you go to prison for Computer hacking?

Computer hacking is a serious offence, but it does not result in a prison sentence every time. By taking the right steps, many cases are resolved outside of the court system

The fine you pay could be up to £5,000, and the prison sentence could be as much as ten years or even a life sentence.

If you have dependents, you will need to take into account how this may affect them. They may not have another income, and it may also affect their general wellbeing to know that somebody whom they love and admire has been imprisoned for an offence.

We recommend that you take on the services of an experienced and competent cybercrime solicitor as soon as possible.

Does a conviction for Computer Hacking go on your criminal record?

If your computer hacking case is heard in court and you are convicted of the crime, your conviction will be recorded on your CRB / police record.

The period of the endorsement will depend on the nature and length of the sentence imposed on you.

How Can Stuart Miller Solicitors Help?

The computer hacking lawyers at this firm are experts in the field of cybercrime defence. We understand that hacking is performed by sophisticated technology users exploring new ways of using hardware or software; not criminals. Our cybercrime solicitors appreciate that the hack may not be illegal, or that your skill may not have been invested with wrongful intentions. We have specialist skill in defending hackers or those accused of using malware to commit cybercrime.

Our cybercrime solicitors are familiar with a wide range of computer hacking offences. Hovering over someone’s shoulder and looking at their passwords to enter their online accounts is the most basic from of hack. Jailbreaking an iPhone is another type of hack. However, the most recognised and difficult form of hacking involves the relentless studying of a programme, identifying its weaknesses and creating software to exploit those weaknesses and deliver the ‘payload’.

What will happen when I instruct a cybercrime lawyer?

If you are facing an allegation of computer hacking, regardless of the seriousness of the accusations being made, it is vitally important that you contact us and arrange to meet with a specialist cybercrime solicitor. Your allocated team will be at the forefront of the cybercrime defence world and you will be supported in achieving your objectives every step of the way.

We will study the allegations and identify legal, factual and technological defects in the case. We will obtain your instructions and absorb your knowledge of computer hacking, where it exceeds ours. We will work with you to ensure that unlawfully obtained evidence or evidence which is not free of ambiguity is never used to prosecute you.

We will engage with forensic computer and networking experts to challenge the prosecution’s allegations and present the findings in a way that the jury will not only understand but also believe.

Computer Hacking & Autism / Asperger’s Syndrome

If you have any medical conditions or other personality traits which may have impacted your involvement with the allegations, we will investigate those and obtain professional opinions for the court. For example, recent studies have started to connect autism and Asperger’s with computer hacking. Professors who are studying the subject seem to have concluded that autistic people develop a fascination with ‘solving complex problems’ and are not motivated by financial greed when involved in computer hacking. Further studies have analysed the age of those accused of computer hacking offences and found the average age to be around 17 years.

Book a free consultation with our Cybercrime Lawyers

Our cybercrime lawyers are familiar with all issues routinely featuring in cybercrime and computer hacking allegations. We firmly believe that early action in any case is pivotal to increasing the chances of success. In such complicated investigations, it’s critical that you get access to expertise at every point.  You can benefit from a free consultation where you can discuss your case with us.

Please contact us and ask to speak to our cybercrime lawyers to arrange a meeting.

Would you like to discuss your case before instructing us?

If you’d like to have a no obligation chat with us before you instruct us to take your case, then contact us today.

In addition to giving you a free consultation, we can also represent you at the police station if you’ve been arrested. We can look at securing your legal aid.

Please contact us for a face to face meeting or a telephone call. There is a WhatsApp link on this page if that is your preference.

Our Computer Hacking & Malware Team

Emergency?

Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.