When faced with arrest or criminal charges, most people want to explain their side of the story. They take to social media and write a long post explaining their innocence. Friends and family reach out through private messages, and the accused discusses their case even further. To an attorney, this is a nightmare scenario. Let us explain why you should never post about your case on social media.
Ring the Bell
When you post about your case on social media, you “ring the bell,” so to speak. If law enforcement determines that your social media accounts hold relevant evidence, they can issue a warrant for account access.
For example, say you made a long post explaining five reasons why you didn’t deserve to be arrested. Law enforcement can compare your private claims with the existing evidence, potentially building a stronger case.
Everything is Evidence
If your social media account becomes evidence, investigators can access everything on it. That means your public posts, private messages, and even your account’s search history.
Again, as an example, say you made the same social post, and a friend sends you a private message asking what happened. You admit that it was a little more involved than you made it out to be. If investigators bring up that information at trial, you could be without a solid defense.
Remember, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you can be used against you. While we often think of those words applying to police interactions, they refer to other elements of our lives as well.
If you’re facing criminal charges, you may want a skilled attorney in your corner. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with an experienced Fresno criminal defense attorney from the Law Office of Brian C. Andritch, please send us an email or call (559) 484-2112.