If you’re an avid viewer of any crime TV show, such as Criminal Minds, Law & Order, Blue Bloods, or another popular series, you’ve likely seen episodes that involve social media as it relates to criminal cases. The reason? Social media truly can affect criminal cases, which is becoming increasingly common in real life.
“The majority of law enforcement officers now use social media to gather intelligence during investigations,” said criminal defense attorney Jonathan W. McConnell. “While some social media users may think that their privacy settings or the deletion of certain posts prevent access by law enforcement, this is not necessarily true.”
According to McConnell, who is the founder of a Wichita criminal defense law firm, many authorities use fake profiles to access “private” information or can still gather information from the posts of friends and family, such as if you were tagged in a certain photo or at a certain location. Additionally, information and photos that were previously “deleted” can still be accessed through web archives or directly from social networks.
Whether or not a crime is involved, it is best not to share personal or detailed information on social media.
Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
If you are in the Wichita area and have been accused of or charged with a crime, the McConnell Law Firm would like to help. Although every case is different and no conclusions should be drawn without a legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case, it is usually best to hire a criminal defense attorney immediately following such an accusation or charge.
Please contact the McConnell Law Firm at (316) 243-5903 for a free consultation. We look forward to helping you!
