Is Social Media a Digital Witness in Your Title IX Case?

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If you are a college student who is accused of sexual misconduct in the State of Texas, you may find yourself facing a Title IX investigation. Title IX is a federal law, and if you are deemed in violation, you can face either suspension or expulsion from your university – thus jeopardizing your ability to graduate, further your education, and reach your career goals. One of the most important issues for students facing Title IX charges is that their social media accounts can serve as digital witnesses that can be quite damaging.

Social Media Never Sleeps

The most important point to be made about social media is that once you post, that content is nearly guaranteed to be permanent. Even if you delete a post, there is simply no guarantee that there are not more than a few screenshots of it out there. Additionally, regardless of how careful you are with your privacy settings, it is best to proceed as if nothing that you post is actually private (because this is far closer to the reality of the matter).

This is why social media is often considered a digital witness that can be difficult to refute. Further, as social media continues to proliferate, it is harder to distance ourselves from the questionable text or pictures that we post (with little thought behind them). In other words, what you might consider an innocent lark of a post at the time can come back to haunt your Title IX investigation.

Social Media Posts and Jurisdiction

Every school has its own policies in place regarding whether it has carte blanche in relation to social media posts or only has jurisdiction over those posts made on campus – in the event of a Title IX proceeding. If you are facing a Title IX investigation, there are things that you can and should do in terms of bolstering your defense (regardless of your school’s jurisdiction policies).

Protecting Your Rights

If you have been accused of sexual misconduct under Title IX, it is in your best interest to take all of the following under advisement:

  • Refrain from posting, liking, and/or commenting on social media entirely. Even innocent posts can be misinterpreted and/or overanalyzed, and it simply is not worth taking a chance.

  • Do not attempt to connect with the person who alleges your sexual misconduct on social media (or anywhere else). While it is understandable that you would like to resolve the matter between yourselves, once sexual misconduct is alleged, the time for reaching out has passed.

  • Consult with an experienced Harker Heights criminal lawyer today. A Title IX sexual misconduct investigation is a serious matter that can seriously affect your future, but having professional legal counsel on your side is the best path forward.

Look to an Experienced Harker Heights Criminal Lawyer for the Legal Help You Need

If you are facing a Title IX sexual misconduct investigation, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Harker Heights, Texas, is a savvy criminal lawyer who understands the serious nature of your position and is well prepared to help. For more information, please contact or call us at 254-501-4040 today.

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