Two teenagers who got into a street fight in Madison, Wisconsin, were arrested after a video of their altercation showed up on Facebook. Viewers can see adult bystanders on the sidelines of the fight, which lasted between two and three minutes. The video recorded the older teen, age 14, pounding the head of the younger teen, age 13, into the sidewalk. The 13-year-old apparently told police officers that he may have passed out briefly.
Although the extent of their wounds is unknown, no serious injuries were reported. Law enforcement personnel heard about the video through the social media outlet. Both juveniles were taken into custody for related charges of assault, including battery and disorderly conduct.
The continued advancement of the Internet and the development of social media have brought a whole new dimension to the criminal justice system. Young people who may have not developed the judgment or maturity of adults might post inappropriate or criminally damaging statements or videos. They may not realize the seriousness of their actions, which can lead to possible criminal charges.
Even adults can inadvertently find themselves in questionable positions because of bad social media decisions. Criminal defense attorneys can review any incriminating information posted on social media sites about their adult or juvenile clients. They will consider the nature of the posted material. A lawyer will work to ensure that the client's rights are protected during the court process. They will work with law enforcement and prosecution to try to mitigate the charges and their accompanying penalties.
Source: Fox 11, "Facebook video leads to arrest of two teens," Nov. 27, 2012
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