The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media After an Arrest
Following an arrest, your priority should be to contact your defense attorney to discuss your case. However, you may also be tempted to talk to family and friends about the incident, especially if you feel you’ve been wrongfully arrested. You might also take your thoughts to social media. Before you do start posting any info about your arrest, remember the following guidelines to ensure that your social media posts aren’t used against you in the courtroom—or in your personal life.
Don’t assume your social media accounts are private.
You may have your social media accounts set to private or “friends-only”, but you should still consider every post on your account publicly accessible. You never know if someone on your friends list has taken a screenshot of a post and shared it with someone else or posted it in a public forum. Alternatively, you might have professional colleagues following you on social media, so discussing your arrest there could cost you your job.
Don’t discuss your case on social media.
Ideally, it’s best to save your arguments about your case for the courtroom. However, you may feel compelled to discuss your arrest on social media for various reasons. If you do, stick only to the established facts of the case. You should also never make negative statements about the prosecutor or the police on social media.
Do show relevant social media posts to your attorney.
Before posting anything about your arrest to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, run it by your lawyer. He or she can advise you on discussing your case without offering any incriminating info. You might also show your attorney any social posts that could offer an alibi or be otherwise relevant to your case. Providing your lawyer with a more complete picture of your social life and whereabouts via social media can help you build a stronger defense for the courtroom.
When you need fair, dedicated representation following an arrest, call Janet Altschuler, Attorney at Law. Ms. Altschuler’s practice is solely dedicated to criminal defense in Tucson, AZ, so she will provide you with the attention you deserve for a fair and speedy trial. Dial (520) 247-1789 to protect your rights.