Criminal Law Unfiltered

How Social Media Can Wreck Your Criminal Defense

Episode Summary
In this episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend explores how social media can make or break a criminal case. With more than 40 years of experience defending clients against charges ranging from federal indictments to murder and sex crimes, Robert shares real-world insights into how online activity is increasingly used as evidence in court.
He explains how deleted posts, private messages, browsing history, and even being tagged in photos can be used by prosecutors to build a case. From human trafficking investigations to high-profile criminal trials, Robert provides practical advice on how defendants and their families should handle social media when under investigation or facing charges.
Key Timestamps
0:41 – 2:53 | How law enforcement uses phones and social media in investigations3:15 – 5:16 | Why texting or searching about crimes can be devastating evidence5:16 – 7:51 | How deleted posts, private messages, and browsing history are still used in court9:10 – 12:29 | The impact of tagging and third-party posts on criminal defense13:20 – 15:27 | Why clients and families should stay offline during pending cases15:30 – 16:53 | Robert’s advice on why social media silence is the best defense strategy

Murder Charges in Real Life: What TV Gets Wrong About Criminal Defense

Episode Summary:In the debut episode of Criminal Law Unfiltered, veteran Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend shares his insights from more than 40 years of courtroom experience and over 4,000 criminal cases handled. Robert discusses what murder defense looks like in real life compared to the dramatized versions on television. The conversation covers jury selection strategies, the difference between truth and evidence, timelines of murder trials, and the real role of forensic evidence like DNA. Robert also explains why most criminal cases don’t go to trial, what defendants and families should do when facing homicide charges, and why staying silent is critical.
Key Timestamps:00:01 – Introduction to Criminal Law Unfiltered with Robert Helfend01:05 – Robert Helfend’s background and career in criminal defense since 198403:15 – Why he chose criminal law and the importance of thinking on your feet05:10 – Winning a murder case with all 12 jurors and the importance of evidence vs. truth09:25 – Jury selection strategies and understanding juror biases13:50 – What TV gets wrong about murder trials compared to real life17:40 – The real timeline of a murder case (often 2–3 years, not one hour like on TV)22:15 – The impact of social media and text messages on modern criminal cases27:45 – The role of forensic evidence and when DNA really matters32:20 – Why most criminal cases settle instead of going to trial36:10 – Options for mitigation: reducing felonies, mental health diversion, and avoiding jail40:05 – What families should do first if a loved one is arrested for homicide44:30 – Closing thoughts and preview of future episodes
About the Show:Criminal Law Unfiltered is hosted by Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend, founder of Helfend Law Group. With decades of courtroom experience in serious state and federal cases, Robert provides unfiltered insights into how the justice system really works. Each episode sheds light on the realities of criminal defense, separating TV fiction from the truth inside the courtroom.