Share the fact you drink-drive on Facebook, be convicted

Facebook: Often used for sharing your "Happy new year" status, perhaps what you had for breakfast, or your thoughts on the latest news.

But if you share the fact you've just committed a dangerous and idiotic act, you're not necessarily protected from the law just because its a social media site.

This is the harsh lesson a teenager from Oregon has learnt, after the 18-year old posted on his Facebook account:

After being called out at 1 a.m. Wednesday, a local police officer responded to a hit-and-run crash, which left "significant' damage to a side-swiped car involved, as well as a second, parked car in front.

According to local news publication The Daily Astorian, after posting the message, two friends with access to the teenager's profile tipped off the police through private Facebook messages. This resulted in law officials going to the teenager's house and finding a damaged vehicle that matched the scenario in the early morning, the suspected vehicle found to be registered to the drink-driver.

Once connected to the incident, the teenager was arrested and held at Clatsop County Jail, eventually being charged with two counts of "failing to perform the duties of a driver." The only thing that went in the teen's favor is the fact that a Facebook post is not necessarily enough evidence to secure a full conviction for something more serious.

A press release from Astoria's police department summed up the entire debacle:

"Astoria Police have an active Social Media presence. It was a private Facebook message to one of our officers that got this case moving though. When you post "Drivin drunk... classsic ;) but to whoever's vehicle i hit i am sorry. :P" on Facebook you have to figure that it is not going to stay private long."