Aiding Crime: What's The Legal Verdict On Assistance?

Helping a criminal commit a crime is a criminal offence in itself. This is known as aiding and abetting, and it applies even if the person helping is not physically present at the scene of the crime or directly involved in carrying it out. Aiding and abetting can take many forms, including providing financial support, offering advice, or helping to conceal the crime. In some jurisdictions, being an accessory to a crime before the fact is considered the same as aiding and abetting. To be found guilty of aiding and abetting, it must be proven that the accused had prior knowledge of the crime and intentionally took action to assist or encourage it. The specific legal definitions and penalties for aiding and abetting may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the seriousness of the crime.

Undercover police participation in crime

This practice of "authorised criminality" is controversial and raises questions about the ethical boundaries of police conduct. It is kept secret and is at odds with the principles of democratic policing, potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement. Despite this, it is considered a necessary aspect of undercover policing and is rarely the subject of academic scrutiny or meaningful regulation.

Undercover police officers may participate in illegal activities with the authorisation of their department, and this authorisation provides them with immunity from prosecution. However, there are limits to what they can do; for example, murder is generally considered off-limits. The extent of their permissible actions depends on the specific rules of their department and the nature of the investigation.

Prank calling

The criminal law most commonly applied to prank calls is harassment. However, depending on the state or jurisdiction, other laws may apply, including those prohibiting disorderly conduct, wiretapping, and hate crimes.

Harassment

There is a fine line between a prank call and an illegal, harassing prank call. While calling someone late at night to say something silly may not be unlawful, repeatedly calling someone multiple times a day or making threatening remarks could violate the law.

Disorderly Conduct

Some states define disorderly conduct as including offensive and abusive language intended to anger others. For a prank call to be considered disorderly conduct, it would typically need to involve verbal abuse or other demeaning behaviour, rather than just a harmless joke.

Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are similar to harassment but are motivated by the victim's characteristics such as their religion, race, or national origin. Mocking someone's accent or nationality during a prank call could fall under this category and be considered a hate crime.

Wiretapping

In many states, it is illegal to record phone conversations without the consent of all parties involved. Recording prank calls without the other person's permission may constitute a felony.

If you find yourself facing criminal charges for a prank call gone wrong, it is important to seek the help of an experienced criminal defence attorney.

Using unsecured WiFi

The Legality of Using Unsecured WiFi

Firstly, it is important to note that the interpretation of terms like "access" and "authorization" is not always clear, and there is no general agreement on whether using an unsecured WiFi network falls under the classification of "unauthorized access of a computer network". Some jurisdictions prohibit it, some permit it, and others are not well-defined.

In the United States, there is no uniform federal law that explicitly allows or prohibits using a neighbour's unsecured WiFi. However, the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 creates criminal penalties for anyone who "intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access". While this law was enacted before WiFi became prevalent, it is still relevant to consider.

At the state level, laws vary widely. For example, in California, the 2020 Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act criminalizes unauthorized access to "computer services", including internet and email services. In Florida, accessing a computer system or network without authorization is also a criminal offence. However, enforcement of these laws may vary, and authorities rarely seem to police or enforce them.

In other countries, the laws also differ. For instance, in Singapore, piggybacking on an unsecured wireless network is illegal and can result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. In Canada, unauthorized access is addressed in the Criminal Code, which provides for criminal charges for anyone who "fraudulently and without colour of right" obtains "computer services" from an access point.

Enabling Criminal Activity

• "Evil twin" attack: Hackers set up malicious hotspots with trustworthy-sounding names, and when users connect, their data can be easily intercepted.
• Man-in-the-middle attack (MitM): Bad actors break into a network and eavesdrop on data as it travels between connected devices and the WiFi router.
• Password cracking attack: Scammers use software to try a large number of usernames and passwords to unlock a router's management interface.
• Packet sniffing attack: Malicious hackers capture data units sent across unsecured WiFi and extract login credentials or financial information.
• Security vulnerabilities and/or misconfigurations: Default router settings may allow cybercriminals to log in as an administrator or plant malicious software on compromised devices.

In addition to the risk of enabling criminal activity, using unsecured WiFi may also result in a breach of contract with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) if their terms of service prohibit bandwidth sharing.

Therefore, it is essential to use caution when connecting to unsecured WiFi networks and to seek permission from the owner whenever possible.

Throwing out mail

If you receive mail for a previous resident of your home, you should only keep it if the address says "or current resident". Otherwise, to avoid criminal charges, you should return the mail to the postal service. Write "not at this address" on the envelope and place it back in your mailbox for the postal carrier to retrieve. You can also take incorrectly delivered mail to the post office or hand it to your postal carrier.

You are not allowed to open, destroy, or throw away mail that is not yours. If you receive mail that is not addressed to you, you are obligated to either return it or make sure it is delivered to the addressee.

Failure to update driver's license

Failing to update your driver's license when you move can have several negative consequences, and it is considered a violation of the law in some states. While it may not seem like a significant issue, neglecting to update your address can result in difficulties and legal repercussions down the line.

In Florida, for example, failing to submit an address change within 30 days of relocating is considered a violation of Florida Statute 322.19. This violation carries penalties similar to those for non-moving violations, which can include fines, points on your license, and even suspension for repeat violations. Additionally, an outdated address can make it harder for government officials to locate you if you commit a traffic offense, are involved in a car crash, or run a red light with a camera. This could potentially result in license revocation or suspension, as some traffic tickets and notices from the DMV or local court are sent by mail.

Other states, such as New York, impose fines or points on your license for failing to update your address. The consequences can vary depending on the state and the length of time you have resided at the new location. While it may be inconvenient, it is crucial to prioritize updating your driver's license address to avoid any legal complications.

It is worth noting that some states have different time frames for updating your license after moving. For instance, in Texas, you have 30 days, while in California, you only have 10 days. Therefore, it is essential to be proactive and update your address as soon as possible to avoid any penalties.

In summary, failing to update your driver's license address is not just a matter of convenience but also a legal obligation in certain states. By staying compliant, you can avoid fines, points on your license, and other unnecessary complications.

Frequently asked questions