Though social media is a great tool as it allows you to connect with friends and family worldwide, it can have negative implications. If you are charged with a crime with an impending trial, you may not think twice about your online presence. However, what you post, like, and share on your profiles may be used as evidence against you in your criminal trial. As such, it’s imperative to understand that you must consult Houston criminal defense attorneys following an arrest. The following blog explores how social media can impact your case and what to do when facing charges.
Is Social Media Content Admissible as Evidence?
In most instances, so long as the content submitted is relevant to the case, posts from social media websites can be used as evidence against you. Not only can the posts you have online be used against you, but anything you may have posted years ago can also be submitted as evidence. Also, if you delete a post, the metadata will remain, and technology experts can uncover this information.
Even if your online presence is private, you may find that the prosecution has methods of getting around these barriers to uncover information about you.
For example, if the prosecution believes you were involved in criminal activities that happened at a party, you may try to claim you were not present. However, if posts shared on social media place you at the scene, the prosecutor now has you at the scene of the crime and has effectively cast doubt on your credibility.
What Should I Do if I’m Facing Criminal Charges?
Regardless of whether or not you are currently facing criminal charges, it’s critical to watch what you post online. Even jokes can have negative impacts on your life if you are the target of a criminal investigation years after you post them.
Additionally, if you have committed a crime, under no circumstances should you post about or allude to it on social media. Judges can be more harsh on those seemingly bragging about criminal activity. Similarly, if you have done something illegal, you should not have any online conversations about it, as this can also be used as evidence against you to issue a more strict sentence.
If you are currently facing criminal charges, you should not touch your online profiles until you have spoken to an attorney. This is because deleting posts can be seen as an attempt to destroy evidence, which can carry legal consequences.
At the Gonzalez Law Group, our dedicated legal team understands the impacts a criminal conviction can have on your life. That’s why our team is committed to doing everything possible to assist you during these challenging times. Reach out to our firm today to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help you.
