Posting pictures of guns, drugs and more can have real-life consequences
Love it or hate it, social media has taken over modern life. From Facebook to Snapchat, it seems that everyone from tweens to senior citizens is on social media today. It has become a place to get the latest news, to share photos, and for some…to land yourself in hot water.
Unfortunately, some people cannot help themselves when it comes to what they post online. There have been many news stories about people posting ill-advised comments and losing their jobs as a result. But what about criminal charges? Can you go to jail for what you post on social media?
The answer is yes — depending on your status and what you are posting online, your social media postings could land you in jail. According to a criminal defense lawyer in Irvine, CA, what you post online can have real world implications, particularly if what you are doing is not exactly legal.
Take the example of a 19 year old Florida man who was hit with 142 felony charges in 2013 after local police noticed pictures of him grinning and holding guns on his public Instagram account. It was his social media postings that drew the police’s attention — and ultimately led to his arrest. Particularly when a social media account is public, the police can use this information to investigate a crime. But even when it isn’t publicly available, having privacy settings activated is no guarantee; police are often able to obtain warrants to access user accounts and get this same information.
In other cases, police and prosecutors are not using social media to find criminals, but to prove crimes. For example, if they have already arrested you for possession of stolen property, then they could look on your social media for pictures of you wearing or using the stolen property. They may also review conversations between you and other social media users about the stolen property. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in Irvine, CA can assist you if you are suspected of a crime and the police are seeking to access your social media accounts for evidence of this crime.
Social media can also be utilized by people to find targets for crime, as many people have theorized is the case with the robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris. If you post pictures of expensive items online or let others know that you will be away from you home for extended periods of time, then you are opening the door to potential crime.
The bottom line? Be careful with what you post online, both on social media and on the internet generally. It can be used against you in any number of ways, both personally, professionally, and even criminally. If you have been accused of a crime, you will need a top-notch criminal defense attorney. In Irvine, CA, contact the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com. Our skilled attorneys will work with you to protect your legal rights, and will stand with you through each step of the process. Initial consultations are always free!
