How Social Media Can Wreck Your Criminal Defense

Episode Summary In this episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explores how social media can make or break a criminal case. With more than 40 years of experience defending clients against charges ranging from federal indictments to murder and sex crimes, Robert shares real-world insights into how online activity is increasingly used as evidence in court. He explains how deleted posts, private messages, browsing history, and even being tagged in photos can be used by prosecutors to build a case. From human trafficking investigations to high-profile criminal trials, Robert provides practical advice on how defendants and their families should handle social media when under investigation or facing charges. Key Timestamps 0:41 – 2:53 | How law enforcement uses phones and social media in investigations 3:15 – 5:16 | Why texting or searching about crimes can be devastating evidence 5:16 – 7:51 | How deleted posts, private messages, and browsing history are still used in court 9:10 – 12:29 | The impact of tagging and third-party posts on criminal defense 13:20 – 15:27 | Why clients and families should stay offline during pending cases 15:30 – 16:53 | Robert’s advice on why social media silence is the best defense strategy