How Social Media Can Violate No Contact Orders
From sharing photos of your vacation or your current thoughts on a status update to staying connected with loved ones and current events, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become a significant part of our daily lives.
However, if you are going through a divorce or another hotly contested family matter, it is wise to stay away from social media until your case is resolved. This is especially true if there is a no-contact order, also known as a restraining order.
No Contact Order Rules
If there is a no-contact order against you, you are prohibited from making any physical and verbal contact with another person. Additionally, the communication restriction also applies to any type of social media correspondence, including “likes,” “pokes,” “friend requests,” and “re-tweets.” A no contact order means no contact.
Examples of No Contact Violations on Social Media
For example, a man in Jenkins Township (PA) was arrested in August 2015 for “liking” approximately 22 of his ex-girlfriends Facebook photos. He was charged with violating a no-contact order.
A woman in Beverly (MA) used her Pinterest account to keep tabs on her daughter, who had filed a restraining order against her. The daughter contacted law enforcement when she received a Pinterest notification.
A man in Orlando (FL) was arrested for violating a domestic violence injunction after sending his soon-to-be-ex-spouse two Facebook friend requests in August 2010.
Contact a Los Angeles Family Lawyer Today
"No contact” includes any form of communication, such as messages and notifications from social media platforms. Although several lawyers have claimed this violates the initiator’s First Amendment rights or that the context of such communication must first be determined before charges are filed, the courts have consistently ruled that any type of contact through social media violates the no-contact order. So, while you may believe a “like” or a “friend request” is innocent in nature, your significant other or ex-spouse may perceive this type of communication differently.
If you are involved in a hotly contested divorce or other family law dispute in Southern California, contact our Los Angeles divorce attorneys at Castellanos & Associates, APLC and schedule a free consultation today.