Since the dawn of social media, law enforcement agents will often seek evidence from criminal suspects’ social media accounts when investigating crimes. They generally cannot do so without a warrant, however, and if they do, any evidence obtained may be deemed inadmissible, as discussed in a recent Florida murder case. If you are accused of committing a violent crime, it is critical to understand your potential defenses, and you should contact a Sarasota violent crime defense attorney promptly to discuss your charges.
History of the Case
It is reported that the defendant was convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter following the shooting death of a young girl who was killed by a stray bullet during an altercation. The altercation occurred between the defendant’s girlfriend and her aunt, during which the girlfriend made threats, stating she would have her “baby daddy” come and shoot them. Shortly afterward, the defendant arrived, and gunfire ensued. A stray bullet struck and killed the young girl as she sat in a car with her parents.
It is alleged that the defendant denied being involved in the shooting, testifying that he left the scene because he had children in his car and was not the person referenced by his girlfriend as the “baby daddy.” Both the defendant and his girlfriend were charged with first-degree murder, among other offenses. During the investigation, law enforcement obtained evidence from the defendant’s Facebook account without securing a warrant specific to the shooting. The trial court admitted this evidence under the good-faith exception to the exclusionary rule, leading to the defendant’s conviction. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The defendant subsequently appealed.
Social Media Evidence in Criminal Matters
On appeal, the defendant argued that the trial court erred by admitting Facebook records obtained without a proper search warrant. The court examined whether the warrantless search of the Facebook account violated the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights.
The court acknowledged that people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their social media communications, particularly private messages, and that law enforcement should have obtained a separate warrant for the homicide investigation.
Despite recognizing the Fourth Amendment violation, the trial court applied the good-faith exception, reasoning that the detective reasonably believed the prior search warrant, issued for a theft investigation, allowed for a review of the Facebook records.
Upon review, however, the court reversed the conviction, holding that the good-faith exception did not apply. The court determined that law enforcement’s search of the defendant’s Facebook records for evidence related to the shooting exceeded the scope of the original theft warrant, making it an unreasonable search.
The court emphasized the need for a warrant that specifically addresses the crime under investigation, ensuring adherence to the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Consequently, the court ordered the suppression of the Facebook evidence and remanded the case for further proceedings.
Consult a Seasoned Sarasota Criminal Defense Attorney.
If you are accused of murder or another serious offense, it is important to understand your rights, and you should consult an attorney as soon as possible. The seasoned Sarasota violent crime defense attorneys of Hanlon Law possess ample experience defending people charged with significant crimes, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. You can reach Hanlon Law via our online form or by calling 941.462.1789 to arrange a meeting.