If you have been charged with a crime, there are plenty of people you may want to talk to. Your lawyer should be at the top of that list.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and X should be at the bottom.

One of the first things I tell clients is simple: do not discuss your case online. Don't explain what happened. Don't defend yourself. Don't attack the alleged victim or the police. Don't post screenshots, evidence, or cryptic messages that you think only your friends will understand.

There is almost nothing to gain, and potentially a great deal to lose.

Prosecutors and police can see social media. So can witnesses. A post that seems completely innocent to you can be taken out of context and used as evidence. Even something unrelated to the allegations can potentially become relevant to the government's case.

Deleting a post later doesn't necessarily solve the problem. Someone may have already taken a screenshot or forwarded it to law enforcement.

I understand the temptation. Being accused of a crime is stressful, particularly when you believe the allegations are false or misleading. You may desperately want friends, family, or the public to hear your side.

Tell your lawyer instead.

Unlike a Facebook post, your private communications with your attorney are generally protected by the attorney-client privilege. More importantly, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you decide what should be said, what shouldn't be said, and when saying nothing at all is the best strategy.

Criminal cases are won in courtrooms, not in Facebook comment sections.

If you've been charged with a crime in Maine, resist the urge to tell the internet your side of the story.

Tell me instead. Let's talk about your case before you post about it.