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Investigators can open an online case long before an arrest. Knowing your rights, and which court could hear the case, puts you in a stronger position.
An internet crimes lawyer in Baton Rouge defends people who are investigated or charged with offenses involving computers, phones, or online accounts. The lawyer reviews the digital evidence, tests how it was collected, and protects your rights at every stage, in state or federal court.
Rozas has defended criminal cases in Louisiana since 2004. Our internet crimes attorneys in Baton Rouge serve clients in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Central, and nearby communities. Our statewide internet crimes defense practice covers the rest of Louisiana, and our Baton Rouge criminal defense lawyers handle every other charge.
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A Baton Rouge Internet Crimes Law Firm Serving Denham Springs and Central
Rozas Law Firm is led by founder David Joseph Rozas. Shea R. Smith serves as supervising criminal law attorney. As a Baton Rouge internet crime lawyer team, our computer crime attorneys in Baton Rouge work with an investigator and paralegals, and our staff works in English and Spanish. We offer virtual consultations for clients in Denham Springs, Central, and beyond. Learn more about Rozas in Baton Rouge.
What Counts as an Internet Crime Under Louisiana Law?
An internet crime in Louisiana is any offense committed with, or against, a computer, phone, or online account. Charges can come from Louisiana’s computer crime, fraud, and stalking laws, or from federal statutes. The same conduct can lead to state charges, federal charges, or both.
A cyber crime lawyer in Baton Rouge sees these charges most often:
| Charge | Law | What the State alleges | Selected statutory maximums or penalty ranges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer fraud | La. R.S. 14:73.5 | Accessing a computer to defraud, or to get money, property, or services by deception | Fine up to $10,000, up to 5 years, with or without hard labor |
| Identity theft | La. R.S. 14:67.16 | Using someone’s identifying information with fraudulent intent to get something of value | Up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine when the value is $1,000 or more |
| Cyberstalking | La. R.S. 14:40.3 | Threatening or repeatedly harassing electronic messages | First conviction: fine up to $2,000, up to 1 year |
| Federal computer and wire fraud | 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030, 1343 | Computer intrusion, or fraud carried out by electronic communication | Set by federal law and sentencing guidelines |
These ranges show the exposure on paper, not a prediction for any case. Many online cases overlap with fraud and theft charges, and some reach a federal crimes attorney in Baton Rouge.
Who Investigates Internet Crimes in Baton Rouge, and Which Court Hears Them?
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit, based in Baton Rouge, investigates crimes involving computers and leads the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. State felonies go to the 19th Judicial District Court, and federal charges go to the Middle District of Louisiana. There are some instances where cases may be heard in other courts. A lawyer at Rozas will help you figure out which court will hear your case and how to best prepare.
| Where the case arises | Court | What it hears |
|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish, including Central | 19th Judicial District Court, North Boulevard downtown | Felony charges |
| Inside Baton Rouge city limits | Baton Rouge City Court, Saint Louis Street downtown | Misdemeanors, generally up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail |
| Denham Springs and Livingston Parish | 21st Judicial District Court; Denham Springs City Court | Felonies in district court, misdemeanors in city court |
| Federal charge | U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, in Baton Rouge | Federal offenses |
A felony lawyer in Baton Rouge works in district court. A misdemeanor lawyer in Baton Rouge works in city court. Prosecutors choose the formal charge, and it can differ from the police report. We compare the two.
Why Choose Rozas?
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How We Examine Digital Evidence in an Online Crime Case
A cybercrime defense lawyer in Baton Rouge starts with one question: can the State prove who was at the keyboard? Our cybercrime defense attorneys in Baton Rouge look at five things:
The warrant. Phones, laptops, and accounts carry Fourth Amendment protection. We check whether the warrant was valid and whether agents stayed within it.
The link to you. An IP address points to a connection, not always a person. Shared networks, shared devices, and hacked accounts raise real questions.
The data. We review logs, metadata, and forensic reports for gaps, errors, and handling problems.
The intent. Many charges require intent to defraud or harass. The State must show it.
The review. When a case turns on technical evidence, we ask whether an independent forensic review is needed.
No attorney can guarantee a result, and we do not. What you can expect is a close look at the evidence and plain talk about your options.
What to Do If You Are Under Investigation for an Online Crime
An online crime defense lawyer in Baton Rouge gives most clients the same first advice:
Ask for a lawyer before answering questions. If investigators want to question you, clearly state that you want to speak with an attorney before answering.
Do not delete or alter potential evidence. Preserve relevant devices, accounts, messages, and files. Deleting information may create additional legal problems.
Get legal advice before consenting to a search. If investigators ask to search your phone, computer, or online accounts, consult an attorney about your rights and the circumstances of the request.
Call early. Investigations can run for months, and an online crime defense attorney in Baton Rouge can step in before formal charges are filed.
Talk to a Baton Rouge Cyber Crime Attorney Before You Talk to Investigators
Rozas defends people investigated or charged with online crimes in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Central, and across Louisiana. The earlier a lawyer reviews your situation, the more options you may have. Schedule a consultation to talk through your case, in person or online.
This page offers general information about Louisiana and federal criminal law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. No attorney can guarantee the outcome of a case, and every case depends on its own facts. Statutory penalties shown are summaries and can change. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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