Like most people, you may never go anywhere without your phone. This dependency on your device may be able to help prove that you are innocent if you are charged with a felony crime in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, many are unaware of how cellphone evidence can be used to help prove someone’s innocence in court. As such, familiarizing yourself with these matters is essential. The following blog explores what you should know about these pressing matters and why it’s in your best interest to connect with an Oklahoma City felony defense lawyer if you are facing charges.
Is Cellphone Evidence Admissible in Court?
In general, yes, cellphone evidence is admissible in court. However, there are stipulations to using this evidence. For example, it must be relevant to the case and prove something in relation to the defense or prosecution.
Cell phones contain a wealth of information, from direct communications and call logs to photos with metadata and GPS location tracking. As such, these small devices can play a significant role in determining whether or not someone is guilty or innocent of a crime, making them essential to be used in court.
How Can Digital Data Help My Case?
One of the best ways that cellphone evidence can help your case is by providing an alibi. When you use your cellphone, it will often “ping” the nearest cellphone tower to send and receive communications. As such, if you are accused of a crime in your town that happened at a specific time, but your phone pinged a tower fifteen miles away minutes before the crime occurred, this can help establish that you were not at the scene when it happened. Similarly, many phones are now equipped with GPS data that can illustrate your whereabouts during the time you are accused of committing a crime.
Additionally, you’ll find that cellphone videos or photos captured at the time of the crime show that you were not the offender. If someone took a video in a supermarket and you happen to be in the background of it, this can help illustrate that you are not responsible. These videos and photos often contain metadata showing the exact time it was taken which cannot be altered.
What Should I Do if I’m Facing Criminal Charges?
If facing felony charges, understanding the steps you must take to protect yourself is critical. The most important thing you should do if you believe you have cellphone evidence to help you in your court case is to back up the files. Screencaputes and transferring files to a secondary location like a computer can help ensure the files are not lost or destroyed.
Additionally, you’ll want to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney from the Jones Firm, PLLC as soon as possible to help you navigate the complexities of a criminal trial. Our dedicated team understands how challenging these matters can be, and we will explore all possible avenues, including cellphone data, to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact our team today to discover how we can assist you.
