Online Marketing Company fishbat Responds to the Link between Social Media and Court Evidence

Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) January 26, 2013

On January 26, 2013, online marketing company fishbat responds to comments made by a South Australian judge concerning the effect social media is having on court cases and investigations.

While there is no doubt that social media is changing the way people interact (among many other things), Justice David Peek of Melbourne, Australia recently questioned social medias effect on the justice system.

According to an article from ABC News, Peek stated, Facebook is spawning a new generation of private investigators. He added that witnesses are now more prone to prejudice because of social media sites.

One case that is currently under scrutiny is an assault case in which a mans conviction was overturned. In the case, reports the article, both the victim and the prosecution used social media to find the suspect. Police relied on witnesses’ Facebook identifications instead of doing their own identification procedures, the article stated. Judge Peek declared that this was a failure on the part of the prosecution.

Social media is also affecting the outcome of civil cases. According to the article, people can easily use Facebook photos and posts to damage the reputation and/or character of the person they are filing a suit against. While this may not be a new technique in civil suits, using social media certainly is.

Personally, I dont think using social media in the courtroom is an inherently bad thing, says Clay Darrohn, CEO of the online marketing company fishbat. Its when prosecutors and defendants overuse or abuse social media during a case that it becomes damaging to the justice system.

Darrohn adds that social media is putting everyone under the spotlight. A persons job can be put in jeopardy for the wrong post or photo. Some employers will even refuse to hire people due to incriminating evidence found on a Facebook page. Its something that our society is getting used to, and as social media grows, people will have to adapt to it.

fishbat, Inc. is a full service online marketing firm. Through social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), web design, and public relations, fishbat strives as a marketing firm to raise awareness about your brand and strengthen your corporate image.