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- Apr 24, 2005
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It has been mentioned that anything said online can be used against you, but some people still insist on posting garbage like "someone tried that with me I would ......" and the like.
Real world example from yesterday. A person present at the Jan 6 riots was sentenced in Boston yesterday to an assortment of penaltys for a misdemeanor pleadout (15 days in federal prison, $500 restitution, community service, probation). The misdemeanor deal was accepted with no pre-determined agreement on sentence, and the government filed sentencing memorandum asking for a substantial sentence (relative to the crime level).
One of the justifications the government used in its argument was the comments present earlier on the defendant's fund raising page, that included assertions of innocence; and characterizing the case as "political prosecution".
So yes, internet postings can and will be used against you - even comments made in the arena of fundraising for a defense.
You may not be able to get around the government's attempt to use an effort to avoid the "legal fee punishment" against you, however, it is important to be aware that even a protestation of innocence in public can and will be used against you.
The second thing a defense attorney tells a client (after "my fee is....") is "do not discuss this case with anyone but my team". That also goes for saying stuff that could be used to cast unflattering innuendo regarding your character or mindset, even if you are not involved with "the system" at present.
And to those who think their screen name provided confidentiality - nope.
Real world example from yesterday. A person present at the Jan 6 riots was sentenced in Boston yesterday to an assortment of penaltys for a misdemeanor pleadout (15 days in federal prison, $500 restitution, community service, probation). The misdemeanor deal was accepted with no pre-determined agreement on sentence, and the government filed sentencing memorandum asking for a substantial sentence (relative to the crime level).
One of the justifications the government used in its argument was the comments present earlier on the defendant's fund raising page, that included assertions of innocence; and characterizing the case as "political prosecution".
So yes, internet postings can and will be used against you - even comments made in the arena of fundraising for a defense.
You may not be able to get around the government's attempt to use an effort to avoid the "legal fee punishment" against you, however, it is important to be aware that even a protestation of innocence in public can and will be used against you.
The second thing a defense attorney tells a client (after "my fee is....") is "do not discuss this case with anyone but my team". That also goes for saying stuff that could be used to cast unflattering innuendo regarding your character or mindset, even if you are not involved with "the system" at present.
And to those who think their screen name provided confidentiality - nope.