Why That Facebook Post Could Be Exhibit A in Court

📱 "Just Got Out. They Really Tried Me Today."

If you've just been arrested or accused of a crime, your instinct might be to vent.

• Maybe you're angry.

• Maybe you want to tell your side.

• Maybe you think a few likes or comments from friends will help you feel better.

But here's the harsh truth:

Anything you post online can be saved, screenshotted, and used against you in court.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've watched prosecutors scroll through Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram feeds to build their cases — and they're getting better at it every year.

🔍 How Social Media Hurts Your Defense

Even something that feels harmless can damage your case:

• Posting about the incident or arrest can be twisted into a confession.

• Joking about charges can be framed as a lack of remorse.

• Tagging or messaging others can result in witness tampering accusations.

• Posting photos at bars or with weapons during an open case can influence sentencing.

And even if your account is private — that doesn't mean it's protected.

🧠 Remember: Prosecutors, Police, and Judges Are Watching

We've seen:

• Posts used to refute alibis

• Comments presented as evidence of motive

• Emojis and hashtags used to prove intent or attitude

• Deleted posts recovered from cloud backups or third parties

What seems like a casual update to you may look like a guilty mindset to them.

🚫 What You Should Do Right Now

If you're under investigation or have been arrested:

1. Stop posting immediately

2. Set all accounts to private

3. Do not message people about the incident

4. Do not delete old posts without speaking to your lawyer

⚠️ Deleting posts after your arrest may be seen as destroying evidence. Let your attorney guide you on what's safe to clean up.

🛡️ How We Help Protect Your Reputation (and Your Case)

At Lawrence Law Firm, we include digital exposure reviews as part of your defense. We help you:

• Identify risky content on your accounts

• Respond to police or public scrutiny with the right tone

• File pretrial motions to exclude social media as evidence

• Preserve what helps your case and remove what doesn't — the right way

We've successfully kept clients' online lives from becoming legal liabilities.

📞 Don't Post Through It. Let Us Handle It.

You're not in this alone, and you don't need to “explain yourself” to the world. Let your lawyer do that where it counts — in court.

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Ruston, Louisiana
🖥️ Or schedule your free consultation today

🔄 Coming Up in the Common Mistake Series:

• Mistake #3: Trusting That the Charges Will “Go Away” on Their Own

• Mistake #4: Pleading Guilty Just to Get It Over With

• Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Hire a Lawyer

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.