In: Criminal Defense

How Social Media Can Hurt Your Defense

According to Pew Research, about 70% of Americans say they use social media. On one hand, social media allows us to connect with people far away, share information, and may open doors to opportunities. Social media can also have serious downsides, one of which is that the sharing of seemingly harmless information may lead to that information being used against you in a criminal case.

Police and other law enforcement investigators use social media platforms to find troves of evidence they use against suspects in criminal cases. This information can be used by police and prosecutors to identify witnesses, charge someone, and secure a conviction using the information found on social media.

It is, therefore, important to know how your use of social media can impact your case, usually negatively, if you are a defendant in a criminal case. You should speak with a Frisco, Texas criminal defense lawyer right away.

Stay Away from Social Media If You Are Facing Criminal Charges

If you are being investigated or have been charged with a criminal case, then it is in your best interest to either completely stay away from posting anything on social media until your case is done or, if you must be on social media, you should keep the following in mind:

  • Do not post or say anything that reveals your emotional thoughts about the criminal case you are facing. For example, regardless of how sorry, sad, or even how guilty you feel about the situation that led to you being charged, keep those emotions to yourself. The government bears the burden of proving your guilt, so you do not want to provide information about guilty feelings for them to see.
  • You will be surprised at how many times people post glaring evidence of their criminal conduct. For example, someone accused of stealing large sums of money might post photos or videos of them living a lavish lifestyle. In one case, the FBI used such posts to arrest, charge, and convict a man halfway across the world. So, resist the temptation to post things that document or can be used to establish criminality.
  • Nearly everyone knows about the Miranda warnings given to anyone who has been arrested, advising them not to say anything to police, as anything they say can be used against them at a trial. You should never answer police questions or discuss an alleged crime without a lawyer present because you might provide incriminating evidence. That admonition applies in social media as well, so do not discuss or post on social media anything about your case, as it can be used against you.

Call a Frisco, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged in a criminal case, it is advised that you stay off social media altogether in most situations. Additionally, a Frisco criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of Brent D. Bowen, PLLC, can represent you and ensure you present the strongest possible defense. Contact us today for a free consultation.