The most popular social platform is Facebook.  It has become to comfortable that people are not even filtering what they post or upload on the internet.   We all know that people have become extremely absorbed by social media networks.  A recent piece of news shows some unfiltered and hurtful posts on Facebook that landed a man in jail for criminal charges of aggravated assault. The the suspect attacked a neighbor because he felt that the man’s sister posted impolite comments about him on Facebook.

Court records report that the suspect aimed the gun at the man’s head and threatened to kill the individual. He also threatened to kill the man’s sister and mother. Why? The suspect was upset because the sister had disrespected him on Facebook. Eventually, authorities arrested the man. Currently, he is being held in jail on $250,000 bond.

Is it a crime to wish bad karma on someone? A Pinellas County teenager says she was suspended from school and charged with a crime just for posting a karma comment on her Facebook page, after her car was keyed – without naming who she thought did it, she posted this comment on her Facebook page: “Oh, so you keyed my car. Your karma is going to be a whole lot worse than that.”

Today, allegations can escalate from almost anything.  People can find themselves facing criminal charges after a simple Facebook post. A declaration on Facebook (or Twitter, MySpace, Google+, your blog, or any publically available platform) can incriminate you in both criminal cases or in civil or administrative hearings, like school suspension hearings.   This also includes incriminating photographs shared by you or others. It could be a picture of an underage person holding a beer can that can result in criminal charges of Minor in Possession of Alcohol, or could get you kicked out of school, or off of the sports team.

It’s also been widely reported that Facebook routinely provides any requested information to law enforcement. They hand over whatever is asked for,  even that which is not completely open and public. It is not clear whether or not an actual warrant issued, but it is almost always done without notifying the participants on the targets.

The Bottom Line:  We need to be extremely careful what we share on Facebook, or other internet platforms.  Put my phone in your mobile.  I can be reached anytime.              513-260-2099