Notes

Snapchat Posts can Land you Arrested

Snapchat Posts Can Get You Arrested



January 18 19



To answer this question:



Snapchat can help you get arrested.



How?



The popular multimedia app for messaging and photos that was launched in 2011 could cause legal problems in several ways.



Below are some examples of behavior to beware of.



Sexting



You could be sharing sexually suggestive or explicit photos or messages through Snapchat as you might do with social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or through text messages.



While sexting -sending sexual images isn't illegal in and of itself, it can be illegal if it involves minors (which in Texas are anyone who is less than 18 years old). Even if a minor is in agreement and takes pictures or videos, the distribution of these photos can be considered a crime.



Invasion of privacy



This legal trap of Snapchat could result in anyone who isn't in a public place having their image recorded and distributed via Snapchat. If the image is offensive, it could be considered an illegal invasion of their reasonable expectation of privacy.
Sexting


Threats



It is also illegal to make threats, and especially ones that are violent in any form, including Snapchat.



Consider the case of two teens from Modesto, CA who were arrested and charged with three felony charges after they sent an threatening Snapchat to an African-American classmate. The post showed a knot and a gun shot at the viewer and a threat that the viewer "must die."



This Snapchat post shows that the teens were charged with making terrorist threats, committing hate crime, and criminal conspiracy. Punishment can be between seven and 12 years in prison.



Photographic or video evidence



Another issue with Snapchat is when images are shared that depict a crime. These images can be used as a criminal record of the crime and can be used as evidence against you.



Of course, a key characteristic of Snapchat is that the photos or videos posted through the app are designed to disappear once they're seen. The photos can be set to display for anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds and then disappear without being revisited.



This is only the case when all users have seen the post. If you share images with a large number of people, anyone who hasn't seen them yet keeps them alive via Snapchat. This is true for 30 days after which the image will be removed.



Snapchat is Snapchat's last hope?



Not necessarily.



While Snapchat officials say the images are deleted from their server but mobile forensics experts believe they are still able to recover them from the user's device like an iPhone. To find these images, police will need to obtain a search warrant.



Also, be aware that a different device could create a visual record of Snapchat images while they display an image, and the record will not go away. A cell phone video can be directed at Snapchat images within a matter of seconds of them showing. Also the screenshots from Snapchat like anything else.



If you are using Snapchat to protect yourself, you should be aware that just that "snaps" tend to disappear quickly , doesn't mean they aren't able to be used against you if they are found to be a sign of an illegal or criminal act.



If you have additional questions, you can refer to the Snapchat Law Enforcement Guide.



A defense attorney in Fort Bend County or Montgomery County, Houston, or Harris County can help you and your family members if you are facing a criminal case based on Snapchat or other evidence of social media. Do not delay - your future may depend on it.



Neal Davis Law Firm. We will begin by examining of your case.


Homepage: https://sexting.ink/