How Social Media Can Hurt or Help an Assault Case

The advent of social media has changed our lives immensely. Social media can hurt or help or both a criminal case such as assault in multiple ways. In today’s blog article, we are going to give you a brief idea how social media can play a role in an assault case.

Help the Case

Social media could potentially help either or both the prosecution and the defence. For the prosecution time-stamped posts can help prosecutors create a timeline of events. Photos can show who was or was not somewhere at a specific time.

The prosecution can also ask the public for witnesses or information, that they may not have had access to otherwise.

For the defence, time-stamped photos can offer an alibi for the accused. Social media may contain threats against the accused leading up to the crime, which could bolster a self-defence strategy.

For either side, multiple posts can aid in showing motive, intent, and state of mind.

Hurt the Case

All of the points mentioned above are double-edged swords. Time-stamped posts and photos can contradict the accused’s account of what happened, when it happened or where it happened. Posts can challenge a witness’s story for either side and uncover lies.

Posts can also uncover witness intimidation, gang activities, or other illegal acts. These same posts can hurt the credibility of the witness, victim, or the accused.

Often those involved in criminal acts such as assault try to delete messages and posts or even whole accounts, but forensic specialists can almost always recover them.

In general, if you are accused of assault, keeping quiet is your best action. Follow the advice of your lawyer, and do not talk about your case to anyone including on social media. 

If you have been charged with assault, please contact Gagan Nahal for a free consultation in Vancouver at (604) 527-4769 as soon as possible. Mr. Nahal’s law practice focuses on criminal defence law, and he has extensive experience in this area of the law.

Gagan Nahal is a criminal defence lawyer based in Surrey, British Columbia, although he has represented clients across Canada. He works vigorously and tirelessly defending his clients. 

If you have any questions about this article or you would like to talk to Mr. Nahal, please call him directly at (604) 527-4769.