Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities with skilled, compassionate criminal defense representation. In today’s world, many criminal cases involve some form of online evidence — text messages, emails, social media posts, or digital files.
While prosecutors often treat this evidence as ironclad, the truth is that online data can be incomplete, misleading, or improperly collected. At Wolf Law, we fight to ensure that digital evidence is tested, challenged, and never taken at face value when your future is on the line.
How Online Evidence Is Collected in Colorado
In Colorado criminal cases, online evidence is usually gathered through:
- Search Warrants: Law enforcement can request access to phones, computers, or online accounts.
- Subpoenas: Prosecutors may compel internet service providers or platforms to produce records.
- Forensic Analysis: Digital experts may extract deleted files, metadata, or app usage data.
- Direct Capture: Police may screenshot or download posts, emails, or text conversations.
Courts in Denver, Jefferson, and Arapahoe counties regularly see cases where evidence comes from Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or messaging apps.
Legal Standards for Admissibility
Just because evidence is collected doesn’t mean it will automatically be used in court. To be admissible, online evidence must:
- Be relevant to the case
- Be authenticated (proven to be what it claims to be)
- Have a clear chain of custody
- Not violate the defendant’s constitutional rights
Attorney Jeff Wolf emphasizes:
“Online evidence is only as reliable as the process used to obtain it. If the state cannot prove authenticity or protect the defendant’s rights, that evidence should not decide the outcome of a case.”
Common Problems With Online Evidence
Digital information is powerful — but also fragile. Defense attorneys at Wolf Law routinely see issues such as:
- Out-of-context messages: A single screenshot rarely tells the full story.
- Altered or fake accounts: Online identities can be fabricated or impersonated.
- Metadata disputes: Dates, times, and GPS data are often misread or misapplied.
- Chain of custody breaks: Evidence that passes through too many hands can be unreliable.
- Privacy violations: Unlawful searches can make evidence inadmissible.
How Wolf Law Challenges Online Evidence
Challenging online evidence requires both technical knowledge and courtroom skill. Wolf Law builds defenses by:
- Filing motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence
- Requiring prosecutors to authenticate records beyond mere screenshots
- Using expert witnesses to explain data errors or manipulation risks
- Presenting alternative interpretations of conversations or posts
- Cross-examining witnesses about how evidence was stored and retrieved
Attorney and Partner Colleen Kelley brings years of trial experience to these moments. Her calm and strategic presence helps juries and judges see the flaws in the prosecution’s digital evidence.
Examples of Online Evidence in Criminal Cases
Wolf Law has defended clients where online evidence played a central role, such as:
- Domestic violence cases: Texts or DMs are often submitted as proof of harassment or threats.
- Drug investigations: Social media posts may be used to suggest distribution or possession.
- Theft or fraud cases: Emails or online transactions may be introduced as evidence of intent.
- Juvenile defense: Teenagers frequently face charges tied to online interactions or cyberbullying.
In each of these cases, context matters. A poorly worded message or an inside joke should never be mistaken for a criminal act.
The Importance of Early Defense
If you’ve been accused of a crime and online evidence is involved, contacting an attorney quickly is critical. Early legal action allows Wolf Law to:
- Preserve important digital records that could support your defense
- Prevent prosecutors from framing the narrative without context
- Begin challenging search warrants, subpoenas, or forensic methods right away
Local Knowledge, Proven Advocacy
Wolf Law regularly defends clients in Denver County Court, Jefferson County Courthouse, and Arapahoe District Court. Our familiarity with local prosecutors and judges — combined with Jeff Wolf’s reputation as a legal commentator on Court TV and Law & Crime — gives clients a trusted team for these complex cases.
Call Wolf Law Today
If online evidence is being used against you, don’t face the system alone. Your rights, your privacy, and your future deserve protection.
Call Wolf Law today for a free consultation. Talk to Jeff Wolf and the Wolf Law team about your defense options and let us stand with you every step of the way.
