If you've been charged with an offense, you're likely working with a criminal lawyer to build the strongest case possible. Obviously, you don't want anything to jeopardize that defense or the strategy you've chosen. For this reason, it is crucial to avoid posting on social media for the duration of your case. Below, learn more about the ways social media can be used against you in a criminal matter.

How Social Media Can Impact a Criminal Case

1. What You Post Is a Part of the Public Record

Anything a person posts on their personal social media pages—even on pages set to the highest privacy settings—can be entered into the public record. That means that your posts can be used as evidence to further the prosecution's case.

For instance, if you posted threats of bodily harm to a specific individual, and then that individual was attacked or worse, that initial post could be submitted as evidence and used as a primary way to tie you to the crime.

2. Pictures Can Contradict Your Story

Social media photos can contradict the story you're presenting with your criminal lawyer as part of the overall defense strategy. For example, say a person has been arrested for drunk driving, but they claim they were not intoxicated.

However, they then post social media photos from the night in question, and the images all show the suspect holding different drinks at various stages of consumption. This information, widely accessible to prosecutors, will contradict the defendant's story—and will be very difficult to explain away in court.

3. Deleting an Account Makes You Look Guilty

If a suspect suddenly deletes their social media accounts after being charged with a crime, it looks very questionable to prosecutors. They may reason that an innocent person wouldn't try to remove evidence of their online presence.

They can then issue a court order directly to the social media platform to gain access to the deleted information or a record of the deletion. In either case, it makes the account holder appear as if they are hiding something.  

As a result, individuals should be very cautious posting information on social media that could negatively impact their criminal case.  

Criminal lawyers suggest staying off social media until your case is closed. If you absolutely must post, set the account to private and keep posts general, vague, and in no way connected to the case at hand. When you need a criminal lawyer in the Boyd County, KY, region, contact Jeremy L. Clark Attorney at Law. Attorney Clark offers representation in criminal defenses, family law cases, wills and estate planning, and personal injury claims. Call (606) 739-6774 or visit the website to schedule a consultation.