In today’s digital age, social media is all-encompassing. While social media can provide a plethora of opportunities, it can also serve as a double-edged sword, especially as it comes to the legal realm. Individuals involved in a criminal defense case should be wary of using social media if they have been accused of committing a crime. From sharing personal information relating to the case to inadvertent disclosure of potentially incriminating details, social media can have a very damaging effect on your criminal case. Let’s dive into some of the possible repercussions and consequences social media usage can have in the courtroom.
Evidence in Court
It is important to keep in mind that anything that you post on social media is not private information and could potentially be regarded as self-incriminating. Whether you are under investigation for a crime or not, it is always important to be conscientious of the information, photos, and videos you post online. For example, if you post a photo of yourself at the location where the criminal activities took place, it could provide evidence to establish that you were in fact present at the scene of the crime. In addition, what you post may also help the prosecutors in establishing a timeline as to when the crime occurred. Therefore, be careful and think twice about what you post on social media.
Posting Details About the Case
If you have been charged with a crime, it is also important that you avoid posting any confidential information pertaining to the specifics of your criminal case online. Unfortunately, anything you post may be used against you, and publicly sharing about your case will likely lead to the spread of misinformation.
Friend Requests
If you have a private social media account, such as on Instagram, users have to send a request in order to become a follower or friend. While most people don’t think twice about accepting random friend requests, you should be wary of them if you are involved in a criminal defense lawsuit. It is not usual for the opposing side to create fake social media profiles in order to gain insight into your life and your social media profile. Thus, do not accept any friend requests during this time, just in case.
Deleting Content
If you accidentally post something on social media that is related to your criminal case, it is vital that you do not delete it. Tampering, deleting, or manipulating what you post on social media may be considered spoliation of evidence, which can be damaging to the integrity of your criminal case. Even though you might be tempted to delete the evidence, the reality is that digital forensics will be able to track down and uncover anything that you previously deleted or altered.
Protect Yourself
If you have been charged with a crime, it is vital that you protect yourself and use social media wisely. It is important to seek legal advice from an Indianapolis criminal defense attorney to ensure that your social media usage does not affect your case. Overall, it is in your best interest to abstain from posting while involved in a criminal case to avoid any collateral consequences. It is better to be safe than sorry.
