Prosecutors and Social Media

Prosecutors and Social Media
Both federal and state prosecutors perform their duties in the midst of an explosion of technology. The impact of that technology on the criminal justice system’s roles and duties is amplified by the advent of social media like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube. Together, technology and social media complicate the ethical and professional duties of prosecutors.

Beginning with the Reading & Study material, discuss the impact of these and other social media sites as it relates to the role of a prosecutor to: (1) inform the citizens of their jurisdiction about criminal activity; (2) respond to inaccurate media portrayals of criminal justice events; (3) protect the victims of crime; (4) secure an impartial jury; (5) conduct a fair trial for the accused; and (6) remain a viable candidate for re-election. (Social media is different from news media or the entertainment industry. Do not use sources or evaluate the issues from a news media perspective.) Must be 350 to 400 words.