With the simple click of a button, one can commit a federal crime by making a baseless threat to a school or other public space. The FBI reports that hoax threats have seen a recent uptick in frequency. Most hoax threats a type of internet crime as they are made through text messages, by email, or on social media.
The FBI believes that these hoax threats are incited by major recent tragedies like school shootings. According to the FBI, these threats are fully investigated when the FBI learns of them. It cautions that hoax threats are not funny and can have immensely negative consequences for all involved.
Hoax threats are considered to be a federal crime because they often utilize interstate communication. People who post or send such threats may receive five years in prison. Perpetrators can also face state or local charges.
Hoax threats are often carried out by young people who do not fully understand the ramifications of their actions. Also, because making a hoax threat can be done quickly and with little effort, there is not much time to self-reflect and back out of committing this crime. Indeed, it is unfortunate that a young person could start out their adult life with a felony conviction for such a serious crime.
Hoax threats also affect the public at large. They waste limited government resources when law enforcement agents are required to respond to the threats. Threats can also upset students, those who work at schools and parents.
Get in Touch with a Chicago, IL Hoax Threat Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are being accused of making hoax threats, you should immediately retain counsel. Having an attorney will mean that your rights are fully protected and that you will have the best chance for a favorable outcome.
As someone accused of a crime you have many rights including the right to remain silent and not speak to police or investigators. The law says that using this right cannot be used against you, meaning that a judge or jury cannot assign any weight as to your guilt based on the fact that you are uncooperative in this way with police. As a defense law firm, we typically encourage all our clients to use this right.
Allegations of crimes involving computers can involve highly technical details, and not all attorneys have in-depth knowledge of these matters. At the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel, our attorney not only understands how computer-based crimes are carried out, but we also have a network of experts who can look at the technical aspects of your case and, if necessary, explain them in layman’s terms to a jury.
Call a reliable Chicago, IL computer crimes defense attorney today at 312-629-0669. Our attorney offers appointments at night and on the weekends.
Sources:
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/hoax-threats-awareness-100518
https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1427-imparting-or-conveying-false-information-bomb-hoax-18-usc-35
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