Cybercrime Defense
in Czech Republic
Digital evidence is complex and often misunderstood. Our lawyers combine legal expertise with technical understanding to build effective defenses in cybercrime cases.
Key challenge in cybercrime cases: Digital forensics is highly technical and the prosecution often overstates what the evidence shows. IP addresses, device logs, and metadata can be misattributed, spoofed, or misinterpreted. Always challenge the technical evidence.
Unauthorized Access to Computer Systems (Neoprávněný přístup k počítačovému systému)
§ 230 Criminal Code
Accessing a computer system or its part without authorization, or exceeding authorized access. Includes hacking, credential stuffing, unauthorized use of access credentials, and exploiting security vulnerabilities. Intent to access — not intent to cause harm — is sufficient.
Possible defense angles
- →Challenge whether access was truly unauthorized (e.g., implicit consent, test environment)
- →Argue the defendant was authorized to access the system
- →Challenge the technical evidence — IP attribution is not identity
- →Security research / responsible disclosure defense
Damaging and Disrupting Computer Systems (Poškození záznamu v počítačovém systému)
§ 230 Criminal Code
Intentionally deleting, damaging, altering, or suppressing computer data, or obstructing the functioning of a computer system. Includes ransomware attacks, data destruction, and DDoS attacks.
Possible defense angles
- →Challenge the intent element — accidental damage vs. deliberate attack
- →Dispute attribution of the attack
- →Challenge the valuation of alleged damage
- →Challenge forensic digital evidence methodology
Online Fraud (Podvod prostřednictvím internetu)
§ 209 Criminal Code
Using the internet to deceive victims and cause financial loss — phishing, fake online stores, investment scams, romance fraud, and similar. Czech courts treat online fraud the same as traditional fraud; the internet channel is an aggravating factor where large numbers of victims are involved.
Possible defense angles
- →Challenge the identity of the perpetrator — was it the defendant?
- →Dispute the deception element — legitimate transaction gone wrong?
- →Challenge the financial loss calculation
- →Argue withdrawal from the scheme before harm was caused
Identity Theft (Neoprávněné nakládání s osobními údaji / Podvod s identitou)
§ 209, § 230, GDPR criminal provisions
Using another person's identity data without consent — creating fake accounts, fraudulently accessing financial services, or assuming someone's identity for other criminal purposes.
Possible defense angles
- →Challenge knowledge that identity data belonged to another person
- →Argue legitimate data processing (e.g., authorized marketing)
- →Challenge evidence of actual use vs. mere possession of data
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) / Online Grooming
§ 192–193b Criminal Code
Production, distribution, possession, or accessing child sexual abuse material, as well as online grooming of minors. Czech law aligns with EU directives. Mere possession of CSAM constitutes a serious criminal offense.
Possible defense angles
- →Challenge whether the material actually depicts a minor
- →Challenge knowing possession vs. accidental access
- →Dispute deliberate distribution vs. passive receipt
- →Device security — unauthorized third-party access to defendant's device
Spreading of Harmful Content / Cyberbullying
§ 175, § 184 Criminal Code
Using online channels to threaten, extort, defame, or harass individuals. Revenge porn (non-consensual sharing of intimate images) and cyberstalking are increasingly prosecuted under existing criminal law provisions.
Possible defense angles
- →Truth defense in defamation cases
- →Challenge whether the threat was credible
- →Argue freedom of expression (where applicable)
- →Dispute the identity of the person posting the content
Charged with a Cybercrime?
Digital evidence must be challenged by experts. Our lawyers work with technical specialists to build the strongest possible defense.