Social Media Are Not Your Friend Pt. 2

As we discussed last time, social media are great for staying in touch with your family and friends and for sharing photos and information.  But if you become a party to a lawsuit, it can be used to hurt you in a lawsuit.  All of your communications, photos and posts can be and likely will be used by the opposing party in the proceedings. 

            My best advice is to stay off of social media until your case is over.  If you can’t bring yourself to do that, do, at the very least, be very careful about what you post:

DON’T ever post or share anything in a hurry.

DO write it down, save it for later, and think about it before you post it. 

DO decide whether you’d like for a judge to read your post or see your photos before you post them or share them. 

DO check to see what others have said in response to your posts.  The responses of your “friends” could also be used against you, and they can be subpoenaed to testify against you. 

DON’T post anything that would support a claim that you were not injured as you claim.

DO NOT under any circumstances post photos of yourself drunk, under the influence of illegal substances, or engaged in questionable activities.  Better yet, don’t get into those situations in the first place!  And remember that others may take photos of you in those situations and post them.

DON’T post anything that suggests you have not been honest in your financial affairs or indicates that you have not been honest with the judge.

DON’T say nasty things about the other people involved in your case or about the judge, regardless of your feelings about them.

            If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check out my Social Media Is Not Your Friend! Part One.