Digital footprints can incriminate you or help your case

If you’re accused of a crime, one of the things that could be used against you is digital evidence. Today’s world has plenty of digital items that can collect information about you. That information can be incriminating, which is why it’s important to be upfront with your attorney about any and all digital footprints you’ve made.

The web-connected devices you use each day give a quick look into your life. Facebook posts deliver short looks at photos or your thoughts at a given time. Instagram has snapshots of your day with tags to draw attention. Emails are discussions between friends and colleagues. Personal sleep devices even record your sleep patterns.

These devices have the potential to help or hurt your case. For example, if you have a smartphone with Google, it may be tracking your location at any time. It’s possible to go into a person’s account and see where they are or where they’ve been with just a few clicks of the mouse. If you’re accused of an offense but your phone says you were across town, that information could be used to your benefit.

Technology is not infallible, so even if it looks incriminating, it may not be telling the whole story. Like with the above, a phone can track you, but it may also get left behind or indicate you were at the scene of a crime when in reality you’d just had your phone stolen.

If technology plays a role in your case, your attorney can help. A felony is a serious charge, and if your data can help you avoid it, it’s important to use it. Our website has more information about your rights.