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Social Networking in Law Enforcement

NCJ Number
233394
Author(s)
Martha Stonebrook; Rick Stubbs
Date Published
2010
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This document is a presentation by two public attorneys highlighting legal issues that law enforcement and courts must deal with due to the increased use of social networking sites.
Abstract
This presentation was delivered at the International Association of Chiefs of Police 2010 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. The presentation highlights the legal issues that law enforcement and court officials could be faced with due the increasing use of social networking sites by the general public. Actual cases are discussed that deal with the following issues: first amendment issues and the problem of retaliation due to Internet postings, discovery of identity of anonymous posters, and other miscellaneous issues; the issue of privacy and the fourth amendment; discovery and the issue of attorney-client privilege; miscellaneous issues in civil litigation cases; evidentiary issues dealing with electronic postings; and discipline cases due to alleged improper use of computers and social networking sites. Citations for statutes and other sources of information are also included.