Tampa Internet Crime Attorney Ron Frey represents individuals, companies and organizations in cases involving allegations of computer crime and internet crime. Attorney Frey established Tampa, Florida as the primary location for The Frey Law Firm’s offices in order to better serve clients in the Tampa region.

Criminal investigations and prosecutions regarding computer crimes and online activity utilize employ a great deal of technology and skill. If you are the target of a computer crime investigation in Tampa, Florida, or elsewhere, it is vital to have an experienced Computer Crime Attorney on your side and fighting to ensure your rights are not violated.

Tampa Internet Crime Attorney Frey has aggressively defended clients in cases around the country in cases involving digital evidence, computers and the internet. Whether the case involves allegations of hacking, unauthorized access to a computer, the possession of contraband, or any other number of crimes that are alleged to have been committed through the use of the internet or a computer, Attorney Frey is prepared to aggressively defend his clients against the charges.

Whether it is in local, state or federal court, Attorney Frey has the experience and knowledge to review your specific case circumstances in order to develop a strategic approach and defense to allegations of internet crime and computer crime. Every defense is tailored to the unique circumstances that each case presents with.

If you, or someone you know, is under investigation for a computer crime, or if a search warrant has been executed at your home or business, please call Tampa Computer Crime Attorney Ron Frey today for a free initial consultation. There are many potential avenues to explore and many defenses may be available. The worst approach is to fail to take action. It is important to be proactive. Don’t guess. Don’t wait. Take action. Call today.

Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Ron Frey has represented individuals and organizations with respect to cases involving surveillance, alleged crimes and digital evidence for more than 15 years. As technology continues to impact every aspect of our life and grow in an exponential fashion, the amount of digital evidence in any given legal matter has been inflated to degree that sometimes seems unmanageable. Attorney Frey has been involved in a number of cases in federal and state courts that involve multiple terabytes worth of data and digital evidence.

DATA: CRISIS AND OPPORTUNITY

Although cases that involve significant amounts of digital evidence and data present unique challenges, they also offer unique opportunities. An avalanche of data received within a discovery exchange may seem, at first, to indicate evidence of guilt or liability. However, more often than not, much of the data turns out to be redundant or irrelevant. The prosecution would never be able to introduce terabytes of data to a jury. Rather, only a sliver of the whole will be presented. Through a thorough investigatory process, it is possible to determine what is relevant and most likely to be introduced during trial.

SURVEILLANCE

Tampa Computer Crime Lawyer Ron Frey has handled a multitude of cases involving surveillance footage over the last decade and a half. He has watched as the technology has advanced from grainy single angle black and white CCTV recordings, to the modern body worn cameras and high-definition surveillance cameras that are prevalent today. In order to learn more about Surveillance, Crime, and Digital Evidence, The Frey Law Firm presents the following video wherein Attorney Frey explores the impact technological advancement has had upon the criminal justice system and society in general.

Tampa Internet Crime Lawyer Ron Frey discusses Digital Evidence

• Tampa Internet Crime Attorney
• Hillsborough Sheriff Announces Solicitation Arrests “Operation Small Talk”
• Surveillance, Crime & Evidence
• Super Lawyer – 2019
• Computer / Internet Crimes in Both State and Federal Court

Contact The Frey Law Firm, LLC today for a free initial consultation with a Computer Crime Lawyer. Take action.

Is this a dating website scam, or am I about to get arrested? As an internet sex crime defense lawyer, I am regularly contacted by people who have found themselves in variations of the following generalized hypothetical situation:

“I was on a dating website, or Craigslist, and I met a female who is 26 years-old. Her profile indicated she was 26 and she told me she was 26 in our online chats. I had no reason to disbelieve her regarding her age and everything appeared completely legitimate. Well, we hit it off and communicated online for a period of weeks. We spent time chatting and exchanged photos. Some of the photos sent were in various states of undress.

Well, to my dismay, I was just contacted by a person who claims to be her father. I was shocked to learn from him that she is not 26, but is apparently only 16!?!? He is extremely upset and aggressive. He says she has been traumatized by these events and has sustained expenses in the form of medical and psychiatric bills. He says if I don’t send him money to pay the expenses, he will go to the police and have me arrested. He has all of my information, including pictures I sent and the chats engaged in. He wants me to make payments via gift cards or money orders. What should I do? By the way, I am married and employed and I don’t want anyone to know about this! What should I do?!?!?”

The frequency of these types of inquiries are indicative of the success this scam must be achieving. Unlike many scams, this one is likely particularly effective as it creates a great deal of fear, anxiety and uncertainty in the individual who falls prey to it.

The following questions typically arise:

• Is this a scam, or, is this real?
• Did I commit a crime? Is there real criminal exposure? Or, is this just someone trying to make a quick buck?
• What information does this other person or group of people have?
• Is my employer going to find out about this? What about my co-workers?
• Will my family and friends find out about this situation?
• What is going to happen to the content that was transmitted? What about the photos that were sent out?
• If I send the money, or gift cards and money orders, will this all go away?
• Can I go to the police or law enforcement to address this? But if I go, will I be the one who gets in trouble even though I don’t believe I did anything wrong?
• Am I in danger?

If I pay the money that is being demanded, how do I know the other person will not come back and request more? Is paying the money even legal for me to do? Is it legal for them to request?

If I pay the money, can law enforcement still get involved and arrest me?

These are legitimate and real questions that often arise in these situations. Often, individuals who find themselves in these circumstances do not know where to turn, or who to consult. Further, the stress, anxiety and panic often overwhelms their decision-making process.

As an internet sex crime defense attorney, I have represented many individuals who have found themselves in these types of situations. There are generally many steps to the representation in order to achieve the best outcome possible.

How To Handle Internet Sex Crimes

First, it is important to understand the client’s background, history and characteristics. Next, a comprehensive understanding as to the history with the alleged dating site “victim”, if any. Then, a determination must be made as to whether the information points to this situation being a scam, or something that may be a real situation with a potential real victim associated therewith and the potential criminal or civil liability that may be forthcoming. Finally, a determination as to what exposure, if any, the client may have.

Once all of the information is conveyed, reviewed and understood, a strategy tailored to the client’s circumstances and goals can developed and implemented. Since every individual presents with unique circumstances, it is important to develop an effective strategy geared towards the specific details of each matter.

If you, or someone you know, believes they may be the victim or target of an online dating scam, please contact The Frey Law Firm for a free initial consultation with Internet Sex Crime Lawyer Ron Frey.

Given the proliferation of data storage devices, ranging from computers and cell phones, to Fitbits and gaming systems, it should come as no surprise that criminal investigators often focus on securing digital evidence from these devices. Law enforcement utilizes a variety of methods to secure digital evidence, including extracting data, or making a forensic copy of the data from a device. When evaluating the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation, it is important for the defense attorney to consider not only what digital evidence was secured, but also any digital evidence that may have been left uncollected or unpreserved.

Due Process

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects an accused from being convicted of a crime when the government fails to preserve materially exculpatory evidence or destroys, in bad faith, potentially useful evidence. California v. Trombetta, 467 U.S. 479, 489, 104 S.Ct. 2528, 81 L.Ed.2d 413 (1984); Arizona v. Youngblood, 488 U.S. 51, 58, 109 S.Ct. 333, 102 L.Ed.2d 281 (1988). Evidence is constitutionally material when it possesses “an exculpatory value that was apparent before the evidence was destroyed, and [is] of such a nature that the defendant would be unable to obtain comparable evidence by other reasonably available means.” Trombetta, 467 U.S., at 489.

Failing to Preserve Digital Evidence

Whenever law enforcement fails to preserve digital evidence in a case, an inquiry should be made in order to determine whether the failure constituted a due process violation. When it comes to data storage devices, it is often the case that law enforcement’s failure to properly preserve the evidence will prevent a defendant or suspect from being able to conduct an independent forensic examination to prepare for trial and present a defense. Further, if the unpreserved evidence was potentially useful, a hearing should be held to determine whether law enforcement exhibited bad faith in failing to protect and preserve the data, or a complete forensic copy of the same.

Motion to Preserve

If you have case involving digital evidence, or evidence from the Internet or an online source, it is important to determine whether the evidence was properly secured and preserved. Further, it may be appropriate for counsel to file a motion to preserve certain evidence to bolster the argument in the event evidence is destroyed, misplaced or corrupted. Attorney Ron Frey and The Frey Law Firm have a great deal of experience representing individuals, companies and organizations in criminal investigations that involve digital evidence and Internet related crimes.

If you have a question pertaining to an issue involving digital evidence or a computer crime, please call The Frey Law Firm for a free initial consultation.