Cyber Crimes Lawyer in Irving

Defending Computer Crime Charges in Irving and Dallas County

When you’re facing a cyber crime allegation, the charges can move fast and the stakes are high. I’m Erin Kelley, and I represent individuals charged with computer and cyber-related offenses in Irving, Dallas County, and federal court. My goal is that you understand exactly what you’re facing and what your options are before anything else happens.

I intentionally keep my caseload smaller than most firms. That means when you call with a question, you hear back from me, not a paralegal, and not days later. Bilingual Spanish-language services are available so language is never a barrier to getting the help you need.

If you’ve been contacted by investigators or charged with a computer crime in the Irving area, call (469) 564-3420 to schedule a free consultation before making any statements.

What Counts as a Cyber Crime Under Texas Law

Texas computer crimes are codified in Title 7, Chapter 33 of the Penal Code. The core offense is breach of computer security under Section 33.02, which covers unauthorized access to a computer, network, or system. Chapter 33 reaches further than most people expect, though.

Related offenses under the same chapter include:

• Online impersonation (Section 33.07): Creating or using another person’s identity without consent to harm, defraud, or threaten them
• Electronic data tampering and ransomware (Section 33.023): Added in 2017 in direct response to rising ransomware incidents
• Online solicitation of a minor (Section 33.021): A conviction carries sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure

When the alleged conduct involves obtaining another person’s identifying information, charges under the separate identity theft statute (Penal Code Section 32.51) can accompany or overlap with Chapter 33 allegations. Penalties under Section 32.51 scale with the number of items of identifying information involved, ranging from a state jail felony up to a first-degree felony. Penalties elsewhere in Chapter 33 range from a Class B misdemeanor up to a first-degree felony, depending on the specific offense and the loss involved.

How I Approach a Cyber Crime Case

These cases often involve complex digital evidence and prosecutorial discretion about which charges to file, so individualized attention matters. I take on fewer cases so I can review the specifics of your situation thoroughly and keep you informed at every stage. I aim to respond to client questions within two business hours and keep clients updated on court dates, offers, and case developments as they happen.

I also share office space with two immigration attorneys. For clients with immigration status concerns, that arrangement lets me flag potential immigration consequences before you agree to any plea deal. A plea that appears to resolve a criminal matter can trigger deportation proceedings if the immigration angle isn’t weighed first. That’s a layer of analysis I build in from the start.

Where Your Case Will Be Heard

Depending on the nature of the alleged offense, your first appearance may be in Irving Municipal Court or at the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas, where Dallas County felony and misdemeanor criminal cases are handled. I can walk you through that first appearance date and help you know what to expect when you walk in.

Cyber crime allegations don’t always stay in state court. When the conduct involves a computer used in interstate commerce, a federal agency, or critical infrastructure, federal prosecutors may bring charges under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act instead of, or in addition to, state charges. Those federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas. I handle federal criminal cases and have developed familiarity with the prosecutors and judges who appear regularly in that court.