You actually shouldn't even say anything to the cops. If they show up with a warrant for arrest as well as search, you're going to jail no matter what you say. If they show up with just a search warrant, they are going to take whatever they want to take whether its outside the purview of the warrant or not. It will be up to a lawyer to convince a judge it was out of scope at a later date after it has already been taken. You will never convince a team of cops that their warrant is wrong when they show up. The only chance you have is if you're uber criminal and have your attorney present when they arrive.
> You actually shouldn't even say anything to the cops.
Unless you're in the UK, in which case: "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
As a Yank, that line always felt odd when watching BritCop dramas. How is the alleged meant to know the specifics of a defence when the full charges haven't even been levied, or how is the alleged meant to read the mind of a lawyer? It just feels like something rigging the system
And the court of public opinion. By the time lawyers and judges are involved, unless you are very lucky, your name and photo is all over the tabloids. Any retractions published when you are later found completely innocent will be the equivalent of a column inch or two on page 17.
The point is that it could happen to anyone, if their choice of connectivity arrangements make it possible, so it is a relevant concern for everyone when planning such connectivity arrangements (whether or not they care about the implications of it potentially happening to you, me, or anyone else).
No, it could not happen to anyone, for a whole host of reasons…
A number that rounds to zero in the 21st century is the number of people who have been randomly cancelled. You can disagree that it is proportionate to their offense, but z e r o people were just sitting around and woke up a) in the public eye and b) were completely and entirely good people who were maligned needlessly in a permanent way.
It is in no way a real concern for 99.9999999% of people.