The Steubenville, Ohio case.  Everyone, it seems, knows all about it at this point. It was unknown until it came to national attention and was “trending” in every social media outlet there is.  There were videos, photos, posts, hashtag trends on twitter and more of an underage girl that was allegedly sexually assaulted at a party. Because of social media, law enforcement arrested a couple of the party’s attendees and charged with sexually assaulting the girl.  The girl stated to police that she did not remember what happened to her that night because of her high level of intoxication. She also took at least one shower after that night, which decreases the chance of any physical evidence being found. This made it a challenging case for the prosecution, which had to rely on the online evidence and witness testimony to make their case against these two Steubenville high school students charged.

Social media was the dead center of this case, and  its increasingly key role in the prosecution and defense of alleged offenders.  To find evidence now, social media is increasingly used  and law enforcement will search sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and others for admissions of crimes and photos or videos showing the users in incriminating situations. Had the incriminating photographs, video, and Twitter posts not been posted online, the two boys might never have been charged.

From time to time people post information, pictures or video on social media networks that can prove damaging in subsequent criminal cases.  Many times this information may not seem incriminating when posted but gains significance based on subsequent events.    In situations when the compromising nature of the evidence is apparent at the time of posting, those who post the information often feel a false sense of security that the information is password protected in private areas of the social network site and is inaccessible to others who may be investigating suspected criminal activity. Online evidence is used not only by law enforcement and prosecutors, however. Both prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys are using social media and technology to find evidence.

With the advent of technology and social media, the justice system is now going online—bringing a new set of complications and consequences to cases. Americans should know that what they post online is often publicly available and open to subpoenas from law enforcement.

The Bottom Line:  If you are under investigation or face prosecution for criminal charges in Ohio or Kentucky, you should be acutely aware that information posted on social networks is increasingly finding its way into criminal and civil courtrooms.  Many people, especially young adults and teenagers, publish inappropriate intimate details about their lives on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, SnapChat and even Linkedin.  Some “public” information takes a bit of maneuvering to find.  Someone can have their Facebook settings as private as possible, but their friends or relatives might not be as savvy, allowing police to collect information by looking at what a suspect posts on their friends’ public pages.  Be careful of what you post.  Don’t speak to anyone or put anything about your case on social media, get in touch with a criminal defense attorney in Ohio.   I can help you.  513-260-2099