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The Medlin News
JUNE 2025
Social Media and the Courtroom: Is Your Feed a Liability?
Social media has become a major piece of modern criminal defense, and I spend a lot of time warning people about what they post. But I use it just like anyone else to stay in touch and share moments from my life. Over the years, I’ve posted more than a few concert photos — bands I’ve seen, people I’ve met, big crowds, late nights. For anyone scrolling through my feed, it probably looks like I spend a good chunk of my time chasing live music, but that’s just one small part of my life. That’s the tricky thing about social media. It helps us stay connected and is a great way to check in on friends and family, but once you post something, you lose control over how it’s interpreted and who eventually might see it. Most of it’s harmless, of course, but even ordinary posts can take on unintended meaning in the wrong situation. Social Media as Evidence In criminal defense, I’ve seen more than a few cases where someone’s online activity complicated their situation. A party photo can be taken out of context and used to imply reckless behavior. A joke made in poor taste may end up in a courtroom as so-called evidence of character. Even something like a quick photo with someone you just met can come back to haunt you if that person later turns out to be connected to something controversial. What felt harmless then can suddenly raise questions that have nothing to do with the truth. Even when the content is deleted, it can linger. Screenshots, old backups, and shared copies don’t just vanish. Prosecutors and law enforcement dig through online archives, looking for leverage. Sometimes, they find it, and it doesn’t take much. A single photo or comment can make a big difference in how someone is perceived. That’s why you should never post
about your case. Don’t talk about the people involved; think twice before sharing anything that could be misread.
When It Works in Your Favor Of course, social media can also be a tool for your defense. We’ve uncovered posts from opposing witnesses that told a very different story from what they were saying in court. Sometimes, it’s a timeline that doesn’t match up. Others, it’s an inconsistency in what they’ve said publicly versus privately. These findings can help support our clients when the facts are on their side. Still, it’s always better to avoid becoming part of that digital puzzle in the first place. If you’re dealing with a criminal charge, your focus should be on building the strongest case — not worrying about what might resurface from your Instagram account. The Golden Rule Here’s what I tell clients: If you wouldn’t want to see it printed and shown in court, don’t share it online. Social media discretion is about privacy, strategy, and self-protection. The best time to be cautious is before you hit “post.” Social media isn’t going anywhere, and I’ll be the first to admit I enjoy using it. But I’ve also seen the damage it can do in a legal case. A few moments of thought can make a big difference. And in my world, that difference might be what keeps a single misunderstood moment from defining someone’s life.
–Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Say Yes to the Celebration, Not the Overspending Celebrate Your Loved Ones Without Breaking the Bank
Plan ahead like a pro. Before you say “yes” to every invitation, take a moment to map out your year. Write down weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and graduations you hope to attend. Once you see them all in one place, estimating your total spending is easier. Set a realistic budget for each event, and don’t forget to factor in travel, gifts, and attire. Always do your research and verify prices for flights, hotel rooms, and registry gifts. Cut costs without cutting fun. Once you have a budget, look for ways to trim expenses without missing out on the fun. Instead of buying a new outfit for every event, consider re-wearing something you already own or borrowing from a friend. If travel is involved, check if you can split an Airbnb or crash on a friend’s couch. Be honest about your budget. Money can be a tricky subject, but being upfront about your financial situation can help you avoid
When wedding season rolls around and birthday invites start stacking up, it’s easy to feel like your wallet is under attack. Between flights, gifts, and party attire, the cost of celebrating your loved ones can add up fast. But with planning and savvy spending, you can still show up for the big moments without blowing your budget.
unnecessary stress. If an event is out of your budget, have an honest conversation with the host. Most people will be understanding and actually appreciate your transparency. Be sure to express gratitude and excitement for their big day, even if you can’t be there in person. Stay connected in creative ways. Just because you can’t attend doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! Send a thoughtful gift within your budget, offer to help with planning, or schedule a video call to toast their milestone. Your presence matters more than your presents, and true friends will appreciate any effort you make to share in their joy. Ultimately, celebrating your friends and family shouldn’t come with financial stress. The best memories don’t come from the most expensive gifts or the fanciest flights. They’re built on laughter, love, and the moments you share, no matter what that looks like.
Planning to Travel While on Bond or Probation? KNOW THE RULES BEFORE YOU GO
When summer hits, it’s natural to start thinking about road trips, weekend getaways, or family reunions. But if you’re on probation or out on bond, travel isn’t as simple as picking a destination and packing a bag. There may be restrictions that you can’t ignore, and getting them wrong can have serious consequences. Traveling while on probation. Most probation agreements limit where you can go and how far from home you’re allowed to travel. In many cases, you need permission before leaving the county, especially if you’ll be gone overnight. That’s not just a courtesy — it’s often a requirement. Your probation officer might need to sign off in writing, and if they don’t know where you are, they may treat it as a violation. Even small issues can become big problems. Missing a routine check-in or being unavailable for a drug test while out of town can quickly land you in hot water. The rules can vary depending on the terms of your supervision, but they’re grounded in Texas law — specifically Article 42A.301 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Traveling while on bond. If you’re out on bond rather than probation, the rules are a little different but just as important. Most bonds restrict you to the county or nearby area unless the court says otherwise. Traveling without approval can
violate the conditions of your release and, in some cases, lead to your bond being revoked.
It’s possible to request permission in advance, especially for work or travel emergencies, but it must be done correctly. Judges have discretion under Article 17.40 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and expect clear communication, not excuses after the fact. Before you pack a bag. If you’re on probation or bond and thinking about heading out of town this summer, your first step isn’t booking a hotel; it’s checking your conditions. Call your lawyer or probation officer, get the details in writing, and don’t make assumptions. A few minutes of planning can save you from losing your freedom later.
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We don’t think much about the texts we send. They’re usually quick replies, inside jokes, or short updates sent without a second thought. But if you’re involved in a criminal case, the things you type into your phone might appear somewhere you never expected — in front of a judge or jury. In Texas, text messages can be used as evidence in court. That’s true for both the prosecution and the defense, but not every message automatically makes it in. Like any evidence, texts must be “authenticated” before being admitted. In simple terms, the court needs to be reasonably sure the message is real and came from the person it’s attributed to. According to the Texas Rules of Evidence, this can be shown through context, testimony, or distinctive details in the conversation itself. That said, proving a message is real doesn’t mean proving who typed it. A text coming from a certain number doesn’t always link it to a person — especially if others had access to that phone. Courts often consider what a message says, whom it’s sent to, and how it fits into the larger picture of the case. When a message makes it through that filter, it carries serious weight. Texts have been used to show intent, support timelines, and establish relationships between people involved in a case. They’ve also caused trouble for people who assumed a sarcastic message would be understood that way or didn’t expect an old conversation to be dug up. If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s best not to assume that any message is private. Be cautious with your words and avoid discussing the case by phone or text. Even when emotions are running high, take a step back and think before responding. A calm pause now can save you a world of trouble later.
WHEN TEXTS BECOME EVIDENCE NOT EVERY MESSAGE IS PRIVATE
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water Teriyaki Beef Skewers
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com.
sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil,
and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
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Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. Social Posts That Backfire in Court
2. Weddings, Birthdays and Baby Showers — Oh My!
Summer Travel With Legal Strings Attached
3. Can Texts Be Used in Court?
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
4. A Streamlined Focus on Family Flow
SMART SCHEDULING FOR BETTER HEALTH Family Flexibility
Stress-Smart Strategies Naturally, hectic schedules often lead to stress — not just for adults. In addition to providing children with all-important personal time with their parents and siblings, regular family activities can help parents better determine whether their kids feel undue pressure in any area of their lives. Although positive stress can help a young person rise to challenges — for example, studying for a big test or meeting the deadline for an important assignment — too much stress can hinder a child’s coping skills and lead to anxiety and depression or physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach pains. Setting consistent daily routines — the same bedtime each night, for example, or regularly scheduling family time everyone looks forward to — will go a long way in helping them feel more in control of their days and encourage better communication with other family members. Life is more than checking off items on our schedules. Any family can create a system that helps everyone feel happier and healthier in even the busiest times with only minor adjustments.
Fulfilling life’s many demands should never come at the expense of your family’s health. If your household’s daily grind consists of juggling multiple schedules and commitments with little room for relaxation, you’re not alone. Here are two ideas to help your family slow things down and better ensure everyone’s physical and mental well-being stays positive as the hours fly by. A Schedule Overhaul When work commitments, paying bills, coordinating transportation for your children’s extracurricular activities, and other daily obligations lead to hurried and scattered interactions among family members, the American Heart Association recommends creating a new way forward. First, look closely at everyone’s daily schedules over a week to see where gaps may exist and which activities could be scaled back to allow for more time spent together. You can start by choosing two 30-minute slots during the week and two hour-long slots on weekends to get everyone in one place. The goal is to have distraction-free time with your loved ones, so put away your computers and cell phones during these special moments.
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