Identity Theft | Obtaining National Security Data
Identity Theft/Obtaining National Security Data
The Internet has created opportunities for anyone in the world with an Internet connection, motivation to see a plan through to completion and is only limited by imaginations. However, the Internet has created the same sort of opportunities for those whose enterprising ideas are not necessarily seen as a positive by society and as a result legislatures, and two of those burgeoning ideas that are being treated harshly by both state and federal courts are identity theft and obtaining national security data.
Below is a brief overview of both identity theft and obtaining national security data, and if you are facing the possibility of being investigated or even prosecuted for either offense, you face a serious legal problem.
Identity Theft
Identity theft consists of illegally gathering information of another person or entity and then using that information for some sort of personal gain. This ‘gain’ can be in the form of a benefit to the accused defendant or for the purpose of ruining the victim of identity theft. New York has several statutes on the books regarding identity theft, and the severity of the charges can range between a Class A misdemeanor and a Class D felony. How the offense is classified upon a conviction is based upon the amount of value or money stolen or misappropriated, and a convicted defendant could be imprisoned for years and fined enormous amounts if he or she is convicted.
Obtaining National Security Data
Given the reality of present times, when terrorism and protecting from the threat of attacks is paramount in the minds and priority lists of the federal government, the need to protect data that deals with national security is as urgent as it’s ever been. This is not necessarily a positive priority when one considers how available certain information is in the Internet age.
If someone is accused of obtaining national security data, he or she faces a host of serious problems. Not only will the accused be dealing with the federal government, but when it involves national security, many of the basic Constitutional rights afforded to almost any criminal defendant are no longer relevant based on the Patriot Act. The federal government has always been given more latitude when dealing with threats to national security, but post 9/11, that’s especially true, and you could face many years in prison if convicted of such an offense.
If you face either of these charges, you need to act now to build your defense. Contact the Blanch Law Firm of New York to begin this process.