Winston-Salem Cyber Crime Attorney
Board-Certified Defense in State & Federal Court
A cybercrime charge doesn’t wait, and neither should your defense. Federal and state investigators frequently build cases for months before making an arrest, which means the time to retain a computer crime attorney may be well before formal charges are filed. At Beechler Tomberlin, we defend clients facing cyber crime allegations in both Forsyth County Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Christopher A. Beechler is board-certified by the North Carolina State Bar in both State Criminal Law and Federal Criminal Law. That dual certification matters in cybercrime cases, where a single investigation can produce charges in either court, or both. Our firm brings over 50 years of combined experience and has handled thousands of cases across North Carolina. Because we operate as a boutique firm, every case receives dedicated attention from our attorneys, not a junior associate.
Call us at (336) 933-9406 or message us online to schedule your free consultation.
What Are Cybercrimes?
Cybercrimes, also called “computer crimes,” are offenses that occur on the internet or through digital communications. The state and federal laws governing these offenses continue to evolve alongside changes in how we communicate and use technology. Many cybercrimes fall under the category of white collar crime, meaning they are non-violent and financially motivated.
Why Choose Beechler Tomberlin?
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ResultsWe relentlessly pursue positive outcomes, measuring success not just by wins, but by the meaningful impact we make on the lives of those we represent.
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OriginalityWe innovate in our legal practice, crafting tailored solutions through creative thinking and customized solutions.
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IntegrityUnwavering honesty and accountability define our approach, ensuring steadfast representation and building trust with our clients.
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EthicsWe uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering trust and confidence through honesty, transparency, and respect for the law.
Examples of Cybercrimes
Cybercrimes vary widely and can include the following:
- Hacking: Gaining unauthorized access to a computer system or network to steal information, interfere with operations, or damage a person or organization
- Phishing: A social engineering attack that tricks someone into sharing sensitive information
- Transmitting malware: Distributing malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware
- Identity theft: Stealing someone’s personal information to commit fraud
- Online harassment or bullying: Includes cyberstalking, making online threats, or spreading false information about someone
- Financial fraud: Schemes aimed at tricking people into giving away money or valuable information
- Intellectual property theft: Stealing copyrighted material, including software, movies, and music
- Sextortion: Blackmail involving threats to release intimate photos or videos unless a ransom is paid
- Child pornography: Possessing, distributing, or producing pornographic material involving children
At Beechler Tomberlin, we are here to help you. Experience the difference of personalized care and expertise that sets us apart. Contact us today to get started.
State Charges vs. Federal Cybercrime Charges
Cybercrimes can be prosecuted as state or federal offenses, and the distinction carries significant weight. North Carolina law addresses computer-related crimes, including theft, extortion, cyberbullying, hacking, and internet sex crimes. Those cases move through Forsyth County Superior Court. When an offense involves interstate commerce, federal programs, or draws the attention of an agency like the FBI, charges may escalate to the federal level and are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Federal cybercrime cases are subject to sentencing guidelines that are often substantially harsher than state-level penalties and can include mandatory minimums. Christopher A. Beechler is admitted to practice in all three federal district courts in North Carolina and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which means our firm can handle a case wherever it lands.
What a Cybercrime Conviction Can Cost You
The consequences of an internet crime conviction extend well beyond the courtroom. At the state level, a conviction can mean incarceration, substantial fines, and probation. Federal convictions carry their own sentencing structure, often with mandatory minimums that leave little room for judicial discretion.
Beyond the sentence itself, a criminal record can affect employment prospects, professional licenses, housing applications, and educational opportunities for years. Convictions involving child exploitation material can also carry sex offender registration requirements, a collateral consequence that may follow a person long after any prison term ends.
Why Winston-Salem Clients Turn to Beechler Tomberlin
Christopher A. Beechler’s board certification in both state and federal criminal law is held by a limited number of attorneys in the Winston-Salem area. That credential, combined with selection to North Carolina Super Lawyers every year from 2014 through 2026 and an AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflects a record of standing in this area of law. Beechler Tomberlin is also a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
How We Build a Cybercrime Defense
Cybercrime defense demands more than courtroom advocacy. We draw on a network that includes digital forensics professionals, private investigators, and financial experts to examine the evidence against you. Defense strategies in these cases may involve challenging the authenticity of digital evidence, asserting Fourth Amendment suppression of unlawfully gathered material, arguing lack of criminal intent, or pursuing a negotiated resolution that may reduce exposure. Every approach is shaped by the specific facts of your case.
Our four core values, Results, Originality, Integrity, and Ethics, guide every case we take. Clients consistently tell us that we genuinely care about their matters and that we work to make the legal process as manageable as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Cyber Crime Attorneys
If you’re under investigation or have been charged with a computer crime in the Winston-Salem area, don’t wait to get legal counsel in place. We offer free consultations in person or virtually, and we serve clients throughout Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin, Davie, and Davidson Counties.
Call (336) 933-9406 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with Beechler Tomberlin.
