Keep Bailing

Today, almost everyone is dialed into social media.  Cell phones connect to twitter, Facebook and Tumblr in an instant. Friends and family members can be updated as to what you ordered for lunch or the celebrity you just saw walking down the street- in 140 characters or less.

Updating the world as to your daily play-by-play is an addiction for some, so much so that they fail to remember to exercise discretion. Some have actually begun to brag about their crimes.  They have seemingly failed to remember that tweeting or posting a status about breaking the law is just about guaranteed to land them in jail.

Case in point, an Oregon teen who recently made the decision to drive drunk.  The intoxicated driver sideswiped a car on his way home.  He then proceeded to update his Facebook with status that not only bragged about driving drunk, but also gave a tongue-in-cheek apology to the person’s car he hit.  Several of his friends took note of the illegality of the action and alerted local authorities.  He was taken into custody several hours later and charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.

Boys aren’t the only ones taking to social media to brag about their crimes.  Earlier this week, a 16 year-old Texas girl reportedly took to her Facebook page to let her friends know she had stolen a minivan.  Much like in the previous example, friends decided to alert the police.  She was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Justice Center and could face up to 2 years jail time if convicted.

Whether these teens have learned their lesson has yet to be learned. One thing, though, is certain.  Police will continue to arrest people who take to social media to brag about the crimes they have committed.