Could Your TikTok Videos Be Used Against You in Court?
As we have discussed, the University of Georgia’s football team has been involved in a number of recent cases involving DUI and reckless driving. Just recently, an Atlanta-area auto dealer posted a video of a Bulldogs player test driving one of their Ferraris. According to news reports, the video shows the player driving over the posted speed limit.
While a short video of someone speeding may not seem like a big deal, it is still an important reminder that we have all become accustomed to having our daily activities recorded and posted online. Indeed, many people have posted videos of themselves on TikTok and other social media networks engaging in reckless–and often illegal–activities. Perhaps these individuals think that nothing that happens on social media is “real,” but that is not how a police officer or Georgia prosecutors may see things.
3 Tips for Social Media Use Following a Criminal Arrest in Georgia
It may seem like common sense to say, “Don’t post a video of yourself driving drunk.” But consider the wide range of social media tools many of us use throughout the day. Keep in mind, none of these tools are truly private. Even when using a feature marked “direct” or “private” messaging on a service like Facebook or X, there is still a record kept of what you say. And that record may provide discoverable evidence a prosecutor can use against you in court.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider with respect your your social media if you are currently facing any kind of criminal charge in Georgia:
- Stay Offline: Until your criminal case is resolved, your best course of action is to say or post nothing on social media. Make sure your family and friends know why you are staying offline, so they do not inadvertently try to post something on their own feeds regarding your case.
- Don’t Cover Anything Up: Staying away from social media does not mean hiding or deleting anything you have already posted. You could face additional criminal charges, such as obstruction of justice, if the police think you are trying to prevent them from finding something incriminating. Again, your best bet is to stay offline completely until your case is over.
- There Is No Privilege: A social media company is not your attorney. They have no legal obligation to keep your secrets. Quite the contrary, if a social network receives a subpoena for your account records, in most cases those must be turned over. This can include not just what you posted–privately or publicly–but also location data that can help establish your whereabouts when any alleged crime took place.
Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers Today
While you should avoid talking to your friends online during a criminal case, one person you should talk to is a qualified Georgia Board-certified DUI lawyer who can represent your interests in court. Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers today. We serve clients throughout Georgia including Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs.
Source:
brobible.com/sports/article/carson-beck-reckless-driving-georgia-viral-tiktok-video/
