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Federal Court: Everything On Facebook Can Be Used Against You
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 11, 2011
Modified Jul 11, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 11, 2011
Modified Jul 11, 2011
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The NYPD is following your Facebook feed, you're a virtual whore for Starbucks and you should probably hold that Twitpic of your boss's double chin. There have been myriad examples of social networking getting people into trouble and it appears in light of our over-sharing society, the long arm of the law is more than happy to admit our computer-generated indiscretions admissible as evidence in court.
In a recent federal case in Pennsylvania, a man claimed that he serious suffered physical and psychological damages stemming from a car accident. But he must be a descendant of Lazarus himself, because Facebook photos showed him on "motorcycle trips" and "riding a mule." In its opinion, the court stated that Facebook photos, or "limited [relevant] 'public' information is clearly discoverable." The court goes on to insist that the "scope of discovery into social media sites 'requires the application of basic discovery principles in a novel context.'" In other words: trolling Facebook for dirt is par for the course. So whether you're a jilted belly dancer or former congressman, it's best to keep your social media clear of incriminating evidence.
Tagged
alimony
anthony wiener
belly dancers
incriminating evidence
social media
stupidity
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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