As technology evolves, so do the industries it affects. With law, technology has helped many people in many different ways between proving they are telling the truth, or showing that an accident actually occurred the way they claimed.
This was exactly what happened in 2011 when a young student at Hofstra University claimed she had been the victim of a gang rape after not wanting her boyfriend to find out she simply had a great time in a dorm bathroom.
In years past, the idea of a video showing the crime would have been unthinkable. With cell phones, cameras are always available.
Everyone has a Camera
Today’s technology empowers people to record events as they are happening. 10 years ago, having a camera in one’s pocket was less common, but today’s phones come with cameras and camcorders.
For example, if someone is driving on the Suncoast Parkway and they are hit by a driver who just keeps on going, they can have a passenger record the perpetrator as they follow them so they could get a clear shot of his license plate, as well as any other driving infractions he commits as he speeds away.
This matched with a call to the police to report the crime should seal the case easily.
People Bury Themselves With Social Media
When a person is in the middle a legal debacle, attorneys check Facebook, Twitter and other social media activity.
Part of the reason for this is because many people cannot help but share where they are, what they are doing and even random thoughts that cross their mind. This is great for attorneys who are on the other side, and not so great for attorneys representing these geniuses.
There have been instances where people post information about themselves breaking the law, drinking at work and even stealing, eliminating any sense of reasonable doubt.
Smaller Law Firms Have Gained an Advantage
With this technology, there are more tools to help smaller law firms win cases that may have gone the other way. It doesn’t cost anything to do a simple Google search, nor does it cost anything to “friend” someone on Facebook.
Overall, it is safe to say that technology has affected criminal law positively for those who are seeking justice. For the other side, they are running out of luck, and at their own doing.