For many people, social media is central to how they communicate with friends and family. However, if you find yourself facing a criminal charge it is best to avoid social media activity.
Here is why social media use can be risky to your case as well as some tips for how to handle your online presence following a criminal charge.
Why you should avoid social media
The main reason to avoid social media use following a criminal conviction is that anything you post can potentially become evidence against you. Your posts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and many more are searchable by law enforcement investigators and others outside your social circle.
Even if something on social media does not immediately seem like evidence, it may contain more information than initially meets the eye. Keep in mind that law enforcement can often access your account even if it has privacy settings.
How to handle your online presence
To be safe, consider deactivating your accounts until the situation resolves. At the very least, do not post or engage with other people’s posts. However, avoid the temptation to delete posts or your accounts as this may appear as tampering with evidence and create further issues for you.
You should also keep in mind how other people interact with you on social media. Friends and family may try to reach out or engage with you online. It is a good idea to ask that they avoid doing so. Deactivating your account serves the dual purpose of removing your ability to post as well as stopping others from tagging you or posting to your account.