What Are Police Looking for on Social Media?

Warning: Social Media Posts Are Forever

No matter charges you are facing, there is always a risk of social media being brought into you case as evidence.

Even if you have scoured your recent posts and deleted anything you thought could be used against you, deleted posts are still accessible by law enforcement. If you are facing criminal charges, it pays to know what police are looking for and what you should be concern about.

Our team of Denver criminal defense attorneys at Gerash Steiner & Blanton, P.C. can help you prepare for the possibility of social media examination, and make sure that you don’t post anything incriminating during your case.

Ways that Law Enforcement Use Social Media

Law enforcement officers, detectives, and special task teams often use social media for more than just specific evidence.

There are ways that officers can track and monitor general information for other purposes and for future case evidence over the long term. Social media may be used to follow a person of interest, a group, or an incident.

Ways that social media can help law enforcement can include:

• Tracking geotags or geolocations: Social media makes it very easy to monitor a specific area, whether watching for a post regarding a specific crime, a string of crimes in an area, or because of an event or protest in that area. Many social media users forget that their location tagging is even on, not knowing that their photo or post is attached to a location.
• Tracking hashtags: Law enforcement can track hashtags for events, protests, parties, criminal activity, and watch for “codes” in hashtags if there is activity that they believe is being conducted online. This can be used for long term evidence building or to be informed about points or persons of interest for something in the future.
• Tracking for teens: Teens often use social media to communicate regarding parties, gang activity, activity such as a fight or robbery. Some even post stolen evidence on their social media to boast about what the found or that they got away with something.
• Tracking through catfishing: Many law enforcement agents utilize personal accounts, under false identities, to catfish criminals or to fish out activity such as sex work, illegal pornography, drug exchanges, or other criminal activity that can be conducted online.

One thing is sure, the safest way to ensure that your social media will not be used against you is to not use it.

If you are facing any kind of criminal charges, stay off of social media so that you are not accidentally incriminating yourself, or posting something that could be negatively construed. Your best bet is to discuss your case with qualified legal counsel from our team.

Our Denver Defense attorneys can help you protect yourself, and help you to be aware of potential avenues of evidence. Our lawyers can review your social media posts so that your defense is as strong and bulletproof as possible.

Let us provide you with the experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense you need, so you have the best chance at a favorable outcome for your case.

Contact out team to discuss your case or give us a call today!