What is illegal to search on the internet? The “criminal who gets busted because of his online search history” trope seems to be popular on TV crime shows, but it's a real crime that real people get arrested for. So how do you go from a few Google searches to a criminal conviction?
Although there is no section in the Texas Penal Code that determines what is illegal to search on the Internet, certain online searches qualify asevidence of intentbased on the wording, frequency or order of your search history, depending on the specific circ*mstances of your case.
Not sure what an illegal internet search is? In this article, the criminal defense attorneys at Sellers Law Firm will guide you through the types of Internet searches that can lead to an arrest.
Illegal Internet searches
Which Google searches are illegal? Police and prosecutors can use your search history to determine intent to commit a crime. This is especially important in cases involving child p*rnography or child p*rnographyonline solicitation for a minor in texas, as well as searches indicating an intention to engage in illegal internet activities, such as sharing copyrighted material (piracy).
Examples of searches that are considered illegal content to search for on the Internet include:
Child p*rnography
Even visiting a site that hosts child p*rnography can be considered a crime.Anonymity does not apply here either, because the police can use your IP address to track your surfing and downloading behavior and obtain an arrest warrant. Depending on the nature of your searches and internet activities, you could face child p*rnography charges and even end up with oneregistered sex offenderlist.
Chat rooms for minors
Chatting with a minor is risky territory. It is not necessarily illegal to chat with someone under the age of 18, although this mainly depends on the purpose and nature of the interaction. Using minor chat rooms to display, distribute, or collect sexually explicit material to or from a minor is illegal and considered onlinePetition for a Minor in Texaswhich can have major consequences.
Torrenten
Torrenting is also called illegal or unofficial streaming of copyrighted material. If you choose to watch or share copyrighted material through unofficial streaming, you could face jail time and even be sued by the person or company that owns the rights to the material you streamed illegally.
Hire a killer
In Texas, it is illegal to hire someone to kill another person – often called contract killing – even if you try to do it “anonymously” via the dark web. If the person is actually killed, both the hitman and the person(s) who hired him/her could be charged with manslaughter and life in prison. Even if the person is not actually killed, you can still be charged with intent to murder.
Can you go to jail for looking at a website?
I accidentally searched for something illegal. Can I go to jail?The laws surrounding online behavior are not always black and white.
In general, you shouldgetting involvedengages in illegal activities through a website, so this can be considered criminal activity. For example, you may visit a website that sells illegal drugs or offers illegal downloads of copyrighted material, but as long as you don't buy or download anything, you are not committing a crime.
As said,child p*rnography is completely different. Child p*rnography possession laws do NOT require you to download or physically possess sexually explicit images of a minor to plead guilty to possession. When you view child p*rnography online, this activity is stored in your computer's cache, which qualifies as possession of child p*rnography in Texas.
Do the police monitor Google searches?
Although the police do not actively monitor Google searches, if they do, they can obtain a warrant for your search historypossible causeto do that. That said, Google tries to put algorithms in place to keep illegal content off its search results pages, and even if Google doesn't report illegal activity, the National Security Agency (NSA) can track your searches.
Using a search engine to search for illegal Internet activity is a crime, and police may use your search behavior, search history, and social networking to determine intent or conspiracy to commit a more serious crime, such as possession of child p*rnography or even murder.
For example, searching for “child p*rnography statistics” would not constitute a criminal offense, while searching for “child p*rnography downloads” could. Searching for information about murder would not be a problem unless there was also an investigation into murder. Conducting online searches such as "Is it illegal to search for child p*rnography?" will ultimately seem more suspicious than investigative if you are accused of sex crimes involving a child.
In trouble because you didn't know what is illegal to search on the Internet? You must be represented by the Sellers Law Firm.
What is illegal to search on the Internet is not always clear and can make you feel like you are being arrested because of your search history. With the exception of child p*rnography, you have not committed a crime by searching for illegal content before actually engaging in illegal activity. As a rule of thumb, if something seems illegal, it may be in your best interest not to search for it online.
But if you are charged with a crime based on your online search behavior, you need a strong criminal chargeTarrant County Criminal Defense Attorneyfrom the Sellers Law Firm on your side. We have extensive experience in handling cases involvingchild p*rnography,drug cases, Inmanslaughter in Texasand will work tirelessly to try to clear your name from any criminal charges you may face.
Don't leave your freedom to chance. Contact us todayschedule your consultation.
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