Social Media

Social Media Crimes Experienced Internet Crime Defense Lawyer, Licensed in Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina

Social media plays an extensive role in our everyday lives. We use it to communicate with friends and family, to share pictures and videos, and even to occasionally vent about our frustrations. But what some people don’t realize is how social media use can go very wrong, ultimately leading to criminal charges. Social media posts regularly end up being used in court as evidence in criminal prosecution.

Whether you are being charged with an internet crime that involves posts and interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or another social media application, call now to discuss your case with an internet crime attorney at The Frey Law Firm, LLC. Our internet crime law firm is tech-savvy and proficient in many forms of social media applications and understands how they are used in investigations. When a case calls for it, we work with independent digital forensic consultants to find and thoroughly evaluate the evidence involved in the case and also prepare a defense tailored to our client’s circumstances. Attorney Ron Frey is a conference speaker and published author, and he taught computers and the law as an adjunct professor at Ursuline College. Our firm cares about your future and works to protect your interests.

See our pages on Sextortion Charges and Accusations, Explained and Revenge Porn and Sexual Cyberharassment Charges, Explained.

If this is your first time facing a charge, our post on first-time internet crime charges explains what generally comes next.

Social Media and Digital Evidence: Related Articles

• When Snapchat Is a Crime Scene: Snapchat Evidence in Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions
• When Instagram Is a Crime Scene: Stories, DMs, and Second Accounts as Evidence
• When Telegram Is a Crime Scene: Secret Chats, Channels, and the Limits of Anonymity
• When Facebook Is a Crime Scene: Years of Posts, Messenger, and Marketplace as Evidence
• When Email Is a Crime Scene: Search Warrants for Gmail and Outlook Accounts
• When Google Is a Crime Scene: One Account, Every Device, Years of Activity
• When the Cloud Is a Crime Scene: Dropbox, Google Drive, and What Lives on Someone Else’s Servers

Role of Social Media in Criminal Investigations

Law enforcement officials understand the value of social media and the role evidence obtained therefrom can play in criminal investigations. Whenever you post something, think twice about who can potentially see it and the potential consequences. Learn more about how investigations of online sex crimes generally unfold.

In Florida, sextortion is generally charged under Section 836.05, Florida Statutes (threats; extortion), and sharing intimate images without consent is generally addressed under Section 784.049 (sexual cyberharassment). In the federal system, sextortion cases are typically charged under 18 U.S.C. § 875 (interstate communications). In Ohio, similar conduct generally falls under R.C. 2905.11 (extortion and sexual extortion). As always, laws are subject to change and revision, so contact Attorney Ron Frey to discuss the details of your case and where the law stands today.

Examples of ways that social media can lead to criminal charges:

• Cyberstalking (making threats, bullying or harassing others using social media)
• When a person uploads a video of a crime, police can use it to identify suspects
• Using social media to facilitate financial scams
• Soliciting minors into engaging in sex acts through social media
• Uploading pictures of cash or assets that were obtained illegally
• If you are on parole or probation and are depicted in a picture or video doing something that violates your parole, you could be violated.