Perhaps you are being investigated or have been arrested for a cyber crime, or the police are in the process of examining your computer or digital devices for evidence. In that case, you should contact an expert Criminal Defence and Cyber Crime Solicitor immediately. At Reeds Solicitors, Internet, Computer Law, and Cyber Crime specialists have an unmatchable knowledge of the law and the technical issues that arise in all cyber crime cases, including those involving cross-border investigations and complex evidence that result in extradition procedures.

Our Solicitors are regularly mentioned in the Legal 500, and in 2023, we were named one of the UK’s top law firms by The Times, specially commended for criminal law.

Stuart Mathews has a razor-sharp intellect and superb client care skills. He is a ferociously hard worker and takes time to unpick a case. Julian Richards brings his huge experience of criminal law to each case and thereby creates a very calm, forensic approach to his work. Clients love him.’ – Legal 500

Our internet and computer law expertise extends to domestic online pornography investigations, cyber blackmail, cyber fraud, the dark web, bitcoin fraud, cyber extortion, offensive social media campaigns to include the recently created offences of “revenge porn” and “trolling”, hacking, virus and malware dissemination, counterfeit software, identity theft / impersonation, phishing scams, cloning, internet piracy, cyberstalking and web cam sexual offences, to name but a few.

Reeds Solicitors cyber crime department also specialise in defending allegations made under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 – the CMA is the primary legislation that criminalises unauthorised access to computer systems and data help on devices or servers. This is also the main criminal law used to prosecute allegations where a computer system has been hacked remotely.

By instructing Reeds Solicitors, you can trust that our team will:

  • Discover why the police believe you are involved in a cyber crime or related activity and any evidence they have concerning those suspicions.
  • If you have been arrested, analyse the custody record, and talk with the Custody Officer to ensure proper police procedure was followed.
  • Attend a police interview under caution to provide you with legal advice and ensure the interviewer does not exceed their powers and follows the Code of Practice that sets out how an interview under caution should be conducted.
  • Should you computer and/or other digital devices be seized, work to have your property returned to you as quickly as possible.
  • If the police are considering releasing you on pre-charge bail, we will challenge them to produce evidence to show this is necessary and proportionate.
  • If you are charged in connection with a cyber crime, we will investigate the police evidence, and build a defence based on witness statements, forensics, international investigations (if applicable), and expert evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the event that led to you being charged.
  • Instruct expert Criminal Defence Barristers/King’s Counsel and attend Court, as well as provide you with advice and support when required, including whether to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • If you are found guilty, we will prepare submissions to the Court to mitigate the severity of the sentence handed down. We will also advise you on whether there are grounds to appeal the Judge or jury’s decision.

What is Cyber crime?

Cyber crime refers to criminal activities that involve the use of computers, networks, and digital technologies. It encompasses various illegal or illicit activities committed in the virtual space. Those engaging in cyber crime leverage technology to carry out their activities, often exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and online platforms.

What are the most common types of cyber crime?

Our team has advised and represented people charged in connection with the following offences:

  • Hacking – Unauthorised access to computer systems or networks to gather, alter, or destroy data often prosecuted and investigated under the Computer Misue Act 1990
  • Phishing – Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by posing as a trustworthy entity in electronic communication.
  • Malware – Malicious software designed to infiltrate or damage computer systems, including viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware.
  • Identity Theft -The unauthorised use of someone else’s personal information to commit fraud or other criminal activities.
  • Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks – Deliberate efforts to overwhelm a computer system, network, or website with excessive traffic, causing it to become unavailable.
  • Cyber Espionage – Illegitimate and unauthorised access to confidential information for the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage or national security intelligence.
  • Online Fraud – Various fraudulent activities conducted on the internet, such as online scams, investment fraud, and auction fraud.
  • Cyberbullying – Harassment, threats, or intimidation carried out through digital channels, often targeting individuals or groups.
  • Child Exploitation – The production, distribution, and consumption of explicit content involving minors, as well as online grooming for sexual exploitation.
  • Financial Cybercrimes – Crimes targeting financial institutions, including unauthorised fund transfers, credit card fraud, and cryptocurrency-related crimes.
  • Revenge porn – uploading personal/private intimate photos or videos to the internet without the consent of the person appearing in the footage.

What happens when the police examine my computer and digital devices?

The police will often analyse computer equipment themselves. These investigations are highly technical, but it must be appreciated that overworked authorities often seek to prove guilt and do not have the resources or time to look further. Hidden deep in the metadata are sometimes the key strands of a defence – for example, proving the timing of a sent email could be critical. Or it may well be that a satellite navigation device can assist in establishing that the suspect was not where the police say they were at the given time, thus helping with an alibi.

In addition, in-depth forensic analysis may also show that another person has used a computer for illegal purposes, despite the police investigation pointing towards the device’s owner being responsible.

To prove you committed a cyber offence, the authorities must place you at the computer used to commit the crimes. We can examine for the presence of Trojans and third-party access to defeat those assertions.

At Reeds Solicitors, we have relationships with some of the UK’s top independent computer experts/scientists and can instruct them to undertake the necessary examinations, prepare reports, and give evidence in court. This, along with our ability to instruct top cyber crime and computer law Barristers and King’s Council, means that by instructing us, you can be confident that you have the best possible chance of achieving a positive outcome.

Our Criminal Defence Solicitors have the expertise and experience required to advise and represent you. Please contact us through our contact page here. Alternatively, you can phone 0333 240 7373, or email us at info@reeds.co.uk.

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