Facing a criminal charge can be a very scary experience especially if it is your first time. If you are someone who uses social media frequently, it can be tempting to share your side of the story or vent your frustrations online. However, doing so can be incredibly risky if investigations or court proceedings are still ongoing any may even jeopardise your case. In this post, we therefore take a closer look at what you should avoid posting online when facing criminal charges to ensure that you are able to get the best outcome.
Why Social Media Matters in Criminal Proceedings
In order to understand why it is important to be careful with your online posts when facing criminal charges, you must first understand how social media matters in criminal proceedings. In most cases, digital posts can be used as evidence in court and prosecutors may use your posts to question your character or credibility. At the same time, if you make a post that seems contradicts your legal defence or claim, it may also jeopardise the success of your case.
What to Avoid Posting Online While Facing Criminal Charges
Of course, this does not mean that you must completely avoid using social media at all when facing criminal charges. Instead, there are some types of contents that you should steer clear from posting, including:
- Details About the Case: While you may feel the urge to rant about the case, especially if you feel that you have been wrongfully charged, you should avoid posting any details about the case online. This includes any details about the incident that led to the charge, information about the charges as well as any screenshots, documents or legal correspondence pertaining to the case.
- Comments About Parties Involved: Similarly, you should also avoid making any comments about any of the parties involved, including the prosecutors, police or even alleged victims. This may be seen by the court as an attempt to influence the outcome of the case and you may be further charged with contempt of court.
- Confessions or Apologies: Even if you may have committed some wrongdoings, you should avoid posting any confessions or apologies on social media. These may be interpreted by the court as you seeking to take responsibility and may seriously damage your defence. Any admission of guilt, even if implied, should therefore be avoided as far as possible.
Getting Professional Legal Advice
Beyond ensuring that you are careful with what you post online, getting professional legal advice from an experienced criminal lawyer can also go a long way toward helping you attain a better outcome. Leanne Warren & Associates are leading criminal lawyers in Melbourne and our experienced criminal law solicitors have decades of experience combined in helping clients with the charges that they face. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out more about how we can help you with your legal troubles.
