How Can Social Media Ruin Your Case?

If you're on the internet, you probably have at least one social media account. But are you using it wisely?

Nowadays, people have that instinctive need to post all events in their lives. Now, it’s even invading the courtroom. However, some may say that it’s not much of an issue especially since the Federal Judicial Center (FDC) who made a survey in 2014 found that only 33 out of 494 judges were disturbed by social media. And most of these disturbances happen during the trial. Still, no matter how few these instances are, some of them have led to getting national notoriety.

Posting Details about the Case on Social Media

Though it’s harder to monitor crimes that happen on social media, laws are still implemented regarding it.

Let’s say you’re currently battling a case against a doctor for medical malpractice. If you post the name of the doctor on Twitter or Facebook online, you might go under prosecution for a different case. This is especially true you don’t have the court’s permission to divulge details of the case to the public. Since online publications can go viral in an instant, the laws applied to newspaper articles go the same for them.

Why are you not allowed to post details of the case on social media? When you let the public see your case by making a comment about it or about the defendant, then you are creating prejudice which may affect the judge or the jury’s decision.

Creating Prejudice Based on Social Media Posts

In February 2016, brothers Samuel and Daniel pleaded guilty for being cannabis supplier, so they received a two-year jail sentence suspension. The judge of the court is Judge Beverly Lunt.

When Judge Lunt went to Twitter and saw the brother’s vulgar tweets about how lucky they are by getting a 2-year suspension, Lunt wanted to reconsider her decision. She brought the two of them back to the court and lifted the suspension. She also gave them immediate imprisonment.

Judge Lunt’s perception of the case was blurred by comments posted on social media, which are not directly related to the case. If she did not see them, the brothers will most likely get the suspension given to them the first time.

Posting Comments on the Case by Jurors

The number of jurors tweeting comments on their social media accounts during a trial is quite high. This misconduct has often resulted in overturned verdicts or new trials. In one case in California, a juror went to Facebook to rant about how boring it is to review evidence. While he did not divulge any important information or expressed his opinion about the case, he still had to turn over his Facebook records.

Final Thoughts

You may practice your freedom of speech when you make a statement in social media. However, if you’re harming the defendant or sabotaging the case, you should just keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.