It can be argued that social media is the modern-day equivalent of a town square. On social media platforms, every adult in the community can engage in debate, share news and develop a greater sense of connectedness. Unfortunately, during a time wherein you might need the strength of your community the most, it will almost certainly be in your interest to avoid posting on social media.
If you have been accused of criminal wrongdoing, it is going to be important that you don’t discuss your circumstances – or even allude to anything that could be remotely related to them – on social media until your case has been resolved. For professional reasons, you may have already initiated a “cone of silence” if you have been accused of white-collar crime. However, you’ll want to adopt this approach regardless of the nature of your criminal charges.
Prosecutors are watching
No matter how diligent you’ve been in maximizing your privacy settings, you need to assume that prosecutors are watching everything that you type. When you’re communicating on social media, researching on search engines, relaying information in emails, venting via texts and even composing Word documents, take nothing for granted.
Nowadays, electronic engagement is a prosecutor’s best friend. By searching through someone’s electronic activity and history, prosecutors can gain a wealth of information that can be used against someone who is facing criminal charges. Even innocent words and pictures can be misinterpreted, so take nothing for granted.
If you are concerned about information that you’ve already posted or you’re unsure of how to navigate your electronic interactions with the stakes of your case hanging over your head, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance. It is far wiser to be safe than sorry in this regard.
