Social Media Evidence in DUI Trials
Social media outlets have become a commonplace center for people to share their pictures, experiences, and video clips.
As the internet plays a more integral role in everyday life, some reminders of weekend parties or social get-togethers find their way onto major social media sites.
While the result can be the scolding words of a family member or employer for some, others may find evidentiary support against them for a DUI charge.
Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and personal blogs can all provide visual and textual evidence that put a person at a party and illustrate whether or not that person had been drinking.
Social media evidence has been used in a few cases already, namely causing the accused to admit guilt given the overwhelming evidence against them.
As opposed to breathalyzer tests, it can be extremely difficult to fight a picture or video that clearly indicates intoxication, especially if the person in question is identified to be drinking heavily.
In addition, status updates, tweets, or quick blog posts that follow easily determined signs of intoxication, such as unusual spelling or grammar mistakes, may be used to reinforce other pieces of evidence.
Perhaps one of the most problematic aspects of social media evidence is that anything posted that shows other people at the event can give prosecutors a record of possible witnesses.
Knowing who was at the party, what they saw, and when they saw it can give prosecutors a clear understanding of a time scale.
This can refute claims that the driver sobered up between their drinking and driving if applied properly.
However, in some cases, a piece of evidence may not be allowed in the court, or may be considered too easily manipulated or dismissible to be accepted.
To learn more about what evidence is permissible in a court of law, contact a DUI attorney today.
As the internet plays a more integral role in everyday life, some reminders of weekend parties or social get-togethers find their way onto major social media sites.
While the result can be the scolding words of a family member or employer for some, others may find evidentiary support against them for a DUI charge.
Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and personal blogs can all provide visual and textual evidence that put a person at a party and illustrate whether or not that person had been drinking.
Social media evidence has been used in a few cases already, namely causing the accused to admit guilt given the overwhelming evidence against them.
As opposed to breathalyzer tests, it can be extremely difficult to fight a picture or video that clearly indicates intoxication, especially if the person in question is identified to be drinking heavily.
In addition, status updates, tweets, or quick blog posts that follow easily determined signs of intoxication, such as unusual spelling or grammar mistakes, may be used to reinforce other pieces of evidence.
Perhaps one of the most problematic aspects of social media evidence is that anything posted that shows other people at the event can give prosecutors a record of possible witnesses.
Knowing who was at the party, what they saw, and when they saw it can give prosecutors a clear understanding of a time scale.
This can refute claims that the driver sobered up between their drinking and driving if applied properly.
However, in some cases, a piece of evidence may not be allowed in the court, or may be considered too easily manipulated or dismissible to be accepted.
To learn more about what evidence is permissible in a court of law, contact a DUI attorney today.
