Social Media Posts Can be Used Against You in a Criminal Case

As the internet and social media have become daily parts of our lives, the criminal justice system has adapted to allow evidence from social media sites to be admissible in criminal cases. For this reason, you should always be careful what you post on social media after an arrest. In fact, it is generally wise to stay off social media altogether. Even if you believe your page is private, there are still ways that investigators and prosecutors can obtain information from your profile and use it to prove your criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you have been arrested, you should speak with an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible who can advise you of how to or not to act to help your case. The following are only some ways that your social media posts can be used against you in Texas criminal matter.

Challenging Your Version of Events

A major part of many criminal defenses is combatting the prosecutor’s allegations of what happened. Perhaps you are presenting an alibi or denying you knew about contraband the prosecutor alleges you possessed. The prosecutor will certainly look for any evidence to refute your story. For example:

● You claim that you were out of town the night the crime occurred, though you “checked in” to a restaurant a block away from the crime scene earlier that day. Though your check-in does not prove you committed the crime, it challenges your assertion that you were out of town.

● You state that you have never shot a gun in your life - needless to day, possessed one. However, an old profile photo from years ago shows you holding a firearm. This does not prove you possessed or used a gun years later, but it does challenge your story that you have never used a gun.

Evidence of Intoxication

Social media evidence is commonly reviewed in cases involving charges of driving under the influence ( DUI) of alcohol or drugs. If you are pulled over, you may claim you had not been drinking at all that evening. However, your social media page indicates otherwise, since your friend posted a photo of you with a glass of wine that night. One notorious case from a few years ago, a 22-year-old woman tweeted “2 drunk 2 care” moments before crashing her car, resulting in the death of two girls. Her tweet was a major piece of evidence in the case, and she was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Contact a Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorney to Discuss Your Case Today

The above are only a few examples of how social media posts can hurt your criminal case. You should speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Worth as soon as possible to ensure you do not do anything that can negatively affect your defense. Please call the Law Office of Kyle Whitakerat 817-332-7703 or contact us online to learn how we can help today.