James Pearce Jr. arrested on multiple felonies: charges, court filings and what it means for his Falcons career

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. What prosecutors allege: a timeline drawn from arrest records and court filings
4. The charges explained: what each count means and the immediate criminal process
5. The NFL’s personal-conduct policy and team actions: how off-field charges translate to league discipline
6. How precedent shapes expectations: past NFL cases with similar dynamics
7. Contractual and financial consequences for the player and the team
8. Defense strategies and legal options available to Pearce’s team
9. The alleged victim’s perspective: protective orders, testimony and support systems
10. Media, social media and the shape of public perception
11. Practical implications for the Falcons’ offseason and season planning
12. Broader patterns: how professional sports handle domestic-violence allegations and where reforms are being debated
13. Comparative view: how other sports and jurisdictions respond
14. What the next legal steps will be and likely timelines
15. Potential outcomes and their implications
16. Support systems, counseling and the role of teams in prevention
17. What to watch next: milestones that will shape the public and legal narrative
18. Contextualizing the stakes: player careers, public trust and institutional responsibility
19. How fans and observers should read developments responsibly
20. Closing assessment: immediate outlook for Pearce Jr. and the Falcons
21. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. faces four criminal charges — including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking — after an alleged incident involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson; a temporary protective order has been granted.
• Pearce is not expected to attend the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program as legal proceedings and an NFL conduct review continue; the case raises immediate questions about team discipline, league policy, contract protection and the wider handling of domestic violence allegations in professional sports.

Introduction

A high-profile arrest and a protective order have thrust a promising young NFL defender into a legal and reputational crisis days before NFL teams ramp up offseason activities. James Pearce Jr., a 22-year-old who signed a $16.8 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons last year, faces multiple felony counts stemming from an incident in Doral, Florida, that prosecutors say involved his ex-girlfriend, WNBA forward Rickea Jackson. Court filings allege repeated threats and physical abuse; Jackson obtained a temporary injunction that restricts Pearce’s contact with her and limits how close he may be to her home, workplace and vehicle.

The charges — aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, resisting an officer with violence, and aggravated stalking — expose Pearce to serious criminal consequences while subjecting him to an NFL personal-conduct review that could affect his immediate playing status and long-term career. The Falcons’ voluntary offseason program begins this week; sources say Pearce will not attend while the legal process unfolds. His lawyers have stated he maintains his innocence, and league officials say they are monitoring developments.

This article synthesizes the available facts, explains the legal and league processes that will follow, examines precedent from recent NFL and professional-sports cases, and outlines the practical and contractual consequences Pearce faces. It also assesses broader implications for domestic-violence policy, athlete support systems and the interplay between criminal courts and league discipline.

What prosecutors allege: a timeline drawn from arrest records and court filings

Public records and court filings construct the outline of the case that prosecutors have brought against Pearce. According to arrest reports released in the wake of his detention, the alleged incident occurred as Rickea Jackson — the Los Angeles Sparks forward who formerly dated Pearce — drove to a police station in Doral, Florida. Prosecutors say Pearce followed her vehicle and struck it repeatedly with his Lamborghini SUV. After police confronted him, arrest records indicate Pearce fled the scene, crashed at an intersection and attempted to run on foot before officers detained him. Social media circulated images showing six officers pinning him to the ground during the arrest.

Jackson had filed for a protective order in February, telling a court she "feared for her life" and alleging that Pearce had both verbally and physically abused her on multiple occasions. The court documents include specific, direct accusations: Jackson states Pearce had threatened to kill her and threatened to place a bag over her head. She recounts an incident at a gas station in January in which she says Pearce snatched her phone, pulled her hair and confiscated personal belongings after suspecting infidelity. Jackson writes that she ended the relationship, only to face what she describes as a "never-ending campaign of threats, physical assaults and abuse," including repeated surveillance and alleged attempts to access her residence.

Authorities say Jackson called 911 at least seven times in the weeks before the arrest. Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez identified Jackson as the woman involved in the case after the arrest. Jackson was granted a temporary injunction, and a hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for later this month. Until that hearing, Pearce must not have contact with Jackson and is ordered to stay at least 500 feet away from her home and place of employment, and 100 feet away from her vehicle.

Pearce’s legal team has denied wrongdoing in public statements to media outlets. After his arrest, lawyers told ESPN Pearce "maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story." The NFL issued a standard statement saying the case remained under review under its personal-conduct policy.

The charges explained: what each count means and the immediate criminal process

Pearce faces three felony charges and one additional felony allegation related to stalking. Those criminal labels have specific legal meanings and procedural consequences, which will guide how prosecutors pursue the case and how defense counsel prepares a response.

• Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon: This charge alleges the use of a weapon to commit a violent assault. In cases where a vehicle is used as the instrument of force, prosecutors typically treat contact that causes bodily harm or presents a significant risk of harm as aggravated battery. A felony conviction for this offense carries serious penalties and will be central to any plea negotiations or trial strategy.
• Fleeing and eluding police: Officers say Pearce fled the scene after being approached. Charges of evading law enforcement rise in severity when the flight risks public safety — for example, if a suspect drives dangerously, violates traffic laws at high speed, or causes a crash. Those factors will influence whether the prosecutor seeks harsher punishment.
• Resisting an officer with violence to his or her person: Police reports and video depicting officers pinning a suspect to the ground can be evidence of active resistance. Prosecutors will rely on officer statements and bodycam footage, if available, while defense counsel will examine the circumstances that led to forceful restraint.
• Aggravated stalking: This count reflects allegations of repeated, intentional conduct intended to harass, terrify or threaten a person. Repeated calls to 911 by the alleged victim, alleged surveillance and claims of attempts to break into a residence are the kinds of facts that can support a stalking charge, especially when combined with threats and physical confrontations.

Arrest triggers an arraignment where charges are formally presented and bail conditions set. Discovery — the exchange of evidence between prosecution and defense — follows. The criminal process can proceed to pretrial hearings, plea negotiations or a jury trial. The protective order granted to Jackson will probably remain in place until a judge hears the permanent injunction motion.

Evidence central to the prosecution’s case includes eyewitness testimony, 911 records, police reports, surveillance footage, vehicle damage and any hospital or medical records that document injuries. Defense attorneys will scrutinize the constitutionality of the arrest, the conduct of officers, the provenance and reliability of social-media images, and whether investigators met legal standards for collection of evidence.

The NFL’s personal-conduct policy and team actions: how off-field charges translate to league discipline

The NFL’s personal-conduct policy permits the league to investigate and discipline players for off-field behavior that the league determines violates the standards expected of its employees. The policy has been used in a range of cases to impose fines and suspensions, and it gives the commissioner broad discretion to act even when criminal charges do not lead to convictions.

When an arrest of this nature occurs, the league typically takes three simultaneous steps: 1) it opens its own investigation into the facts, 2) it communicates with the player’s club about potential team discipline, and 3) it monitors the criminal case while preserving the option to impose independent penalties. The league has suspended or fined players in absence of criminal convictions in past cases when it concluded the conduct merited discipline under its standard.

Teams have immediate personnel tools as well. A club can limit a player’s access to team facilities, place him on an exempt list (a type of paid leave that removes the player from the roster while investigations proceed), or impose internal discipline. Placing a player on an exempt list essentially sidelines him while the club and league gather facts and decide on next steps.

The Falcons characterize their offseason program as voluntary; missing it usually carries no league-mandated punishment. Yet the public optics of a star player absent from voluntary meetings while under arrest are damaging. Teams balancing competitive needs and public-image considerations often consult legal counsel and the league office before deciding whether to impose team-level measures.

How precedent shapes expectations: past NFL cases with similar dynamics

Recent NFL history shows a range of outcomes when players face allegations of violence or harassment. The league has varied its response depending on the facts, available evidence and public pressure.

• Ray Rice: A video that surfaced showing Rice striking his then-fiancée inside an elevator led the league to increase an initial two-game suspension to an indefinite ban in 2014. The public outcry catalyzed a reassessment of the league’s domestic-violence policies.
• Ezekiel Elliott: After an NFL investigation into multiple incidents, Elliott was suspended six games in 2017 under the personal-conduct policy. The suspension took effect after an appeals process and legal maneuvering.
• Deshaun Watson: Civil allegations of sexual misconduct and a large number of civil suits prompted a prolonged independent investigation and ultimately an 11-game suspension in 2022. The cases were complex and involved settlements and parallel legal processes beyond the criminal justice system.

Those examples illustrate that league discipline can range from multi-game suspensions to indefinite bans, and the timing of disciplinary action often lags the initial criminal or civil development. The league prefers to retain discretion and frequently reads the public climate alongside the legal facts.

For Pearce, the combination of a felony arrest, a civil protective order and public social-media images increases the likelihood that the NFL will conduct a formal review and that the Falcons will seek to distance themselves from the immediate controversy until more is known.

Contractual and financial consequences for the player and the team

Pearce signed a $16.8 million contract last year; the structure of that deal — guaranteed money, roster bonuses, offsets and voidable years — will determine the immediate financial consequences if the league or Falcons impose sanctions.

Contracts typically protect teams through offset language and non-guaranteed salaries beyond the guaranteed portion. NFL clubs can seek to recoup signing bonuses or find ways to void portions of a contract in cases of conduct detrimental to the team, but guaranteed money is rarely clawed back absent fraud or misrepresentation. If Pearce is suspended by the league, he will forfeit game checks for the duration of the suspension. If convicted of felonies, the team might move to release him, depending on the terms of the contract.

Teams also weigh roster-management considerations. If Pearce is placed on an exempt list or suspended, his roster spot and salary-cap implications follow specific NFL rules. The Falcons could add temporary reinforcements to the roster while retaining Pearce under contract, but public and sponsor pressure sometimes pushes teams to act more decisively.

Legal costs and reputation damage represent additional, non-contractual losses. Players under criminal scrutiny typically require significant legal representation, which can strain relationships with a franchise and sponsors. Endorsements — often contingent on clean public images — evaporate quickly in the face of serious allegations.

Defense strategies and legal options available to Pearce’s team

Defense counsel for someone in Pearce’s position will pursue multiple parallel strategies: contesting the admissibility and reliability of evidence, presenting alternative narratives of the incident, negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges if warranted, or seeking diversion programs in certain jurisdictions. If charges proceed to trial, the defense will frame reasonable doubt, attack witness credibility and emphasize gaps or contradictions in the prosecution’s account.

Specific defensive angles in cases alleging vehicle-as-weapon conduct include disputing causation (did the vehicle actually strike the other car intentionally?), intent (was this an accident or reckless driving rather than an assault?), and identity of the driver if multiple people had access to the car. For resisting and fleeing allegations, defense lawyers often scrutinize police procedures, bodycam video and whether officers issued clear commands.

A separate but critical line of defense addresses the protective order. Defense counsel may contest the scope of the injunction or submit evidence to limit its duration. While a temporary order is often granted based on initial allegations, a permanent injunction requires additional proof at a hearing. The protective-order hearing will be consequential for Pearce’s ability to approach locations and may influence the court of public opinion.

Plea bargaining remains a common outcome in felony prosecutions. Prosecutors may offer a reduced charge — perhaps to a misdemeanor — if the defendant offers cooperation, accepts counseling or completes stipulated programs. The public prominence of the parties involved will complicate such negotiations, however, because prosecutors face pressure to demonstrate seriousness when allegations involve violence.

The alleged victim’s perspective: protective orders, testimony and support systems

Civil protective orders serve dual purposes: immediate safety for the alleged victim and legal consequences for the restrained party if violated. Jackson’s court filing describes repeated fear for her life; the judge granted a temporary injunction in response to those sworn claims. If she testifies at a permanent injunction hearing, the court will hear live testimony and decide whether to extend the protections.

Victims of intimate-partner violence often face intense scrutiny when their cases involve public figures. Fear of retaliation, invasion of privacy and social-media harassment can deter cooperation. Legal advocates and domestic-violence organizations emphasize safety planning, documentation of harassment and access to counseling and advocacy. Courts may permit victims to testify remotely or with privacy protections in high-profile cases, ensuring their safety while securing necessary evidence.

Jackson’s attorney has stated she is "willing to testify" if domestic-violence charges go to trial. That willingness will affect prosecutors’ calculations. The strength of a prosecution depends heavily on the alleged victim’s cooperation unless other independent evidence — such as video footage, third-party witnesses, or physical injuries documented by medical personnel — can fill that gap.

Media, social media and the shape of public perception

High-profile arrests play out in real time across media platforms. The circulation of images and user-generated video can harden public opinion long before formal adjudication. In Pearce’s case, images showing a physical restraint by police were widely shared; those visuals become focal points for commentary, sometimes obscuring context or exculpatory facts that surface later.

Public-relations teams manage messaging for athletes and teams under such scrutiny, balancing legal strategy against reputational repair. Pearce’s lawyers released a statement asserting his innocence and urging restraint until the full facts surface. The NFL and the Falcons will monitor media coverage and sponsor reactions. In similar past cases, teams have moved to suspend players in part to appease public concerns; in other instances, they awaited legal outcomes before deciding.

The interaction of criminal procedure and media narratives complicates the notion of a fair process. Defense counsel will emphasize due process and the presumption of innocence; prosecutors and alleged victims will insist on scrutiny and accountability. The judge and jurors will be asked to weigh evidence against the noise of social-media commentary, but the court of public opinion is already active.

Practical implications for the Falcons’ offseason and season planning

Pearce’s absence from the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program removes a rotation piece from a team planning to refine its defensive front. Voluntary offseason activities include weight-room work, team meetings and some on-field conditioning; while not mandatory, these sessions are crucial for building cohesion.

Coaching staff must reallocate reps and plan contingencies for training camp. Teams frequently sign veteran free agents or rely on younger players to step up when a starter or rotation player becomes unavailable. The Falcons’ staff will balance competitive needs with a desire to avoid appearing unsupportive of alleged victims.

If the league imposes a suspension, the Falcons will evaluate the length and decide whether to place Pearce on an exempt list or release him. The unique timing — immediately before the season-building phase — creates pressure to resolve roster questions quickly. However, legal cases move on their own timetable, and the club may face a prolonged period of uncertainty.

Broader patterns: how professional sports handle domestic-violence allegations and where reforms are being debated

Professional leagues have evolved in how they respond to allegations of domestic violence. A decade ago, the NFL’s response to such incidents was widely criticized as inconsistent and lenient. Major incidents involving visual evidence and public outcry forced the league and other sports organizations to formalize policies and create independent investigative mechanisms. Still, critics argue there remains a gap between policy and consistent enforcement.

Key areas of debate include:

• Transparency: How much should leagues disclose about their investigations without jeopardizing privacy or ongoing legal proceedings?
• Independent review: Should investigations be overseen by a truly independent body rather than league officials with past entanglements?
• Victim protections: Can leagues do more to support alleged victims, including paid leave, counseling and legal assistance?
• Rehabilitation and education: Should penalties focus solely on punishment, or should they incorporate mandated counseling and behavior modification programs that address root causes of abusive conduct?

Leagues also face pressure from sponsors and fans to demonstrate consistent standards. The balance between protecting due process rights for players and ensuring accountability for misconduct remains contentious. Stakeholders — from teams and players’ unions to victim-advocacy organizations — continue to debate the most effective frameworks.

Comparative view: how other sports and jurisdictions respond

Other major sports have adopted varied approaches. The NBA and WNBA generally defer to legal outcomes while using internal review mechanisms. The WNBA, which is the employer of the alleged victim in this case, took steps in recent years to elevate player safety and establish clear reporting channels. Collegiate athletics and international sports federations have their own codes of conduct.

Civil lawsuits are also a common forum for accountability in parallel to criminal prosecutions. High-profile civil cases have led to settlement agreements and institutional reforms in professional sports. For example, multiple civil claims in other contexts have pressured leagues to adapt sexual-harassment training, reporting mechanisms and off-field conduct education.

Internationally, legal definitions and penalties for stalking, aggravated assault and related crimes differ, underscoring that professional sports organizations must navigate a patchwork of local laws based on where incidents occur.

What the next legal steps will be and likely timelines

Following an arrest on felony charges, the immediate steps include arraignment and pretrial procedures. The defense and prosecution will exchange discovery, file pretrial motions and potentially engage in plea discussions. The hearing on a permanent protective order is scheduled for later this month and will occur on a faster timeline than the criminal process.

Felony cases can take months to a year or more to reach trial, depending on complexity, evidentiary issues and court calendars. Plea offers may shorten the timeline significantly. If either side seeks to negotiate a resolution, facts such as prior records, the alleged victim’s cooperation and the strength of physical evidence will determine viability.

Separately, the NFL’s internal review can conclude at any point and does not depend on criminal disposition. The league historically has exercised its own judgment and reached disciplinary conclusions whether or not the criminal system convicts.

Potential outcomes and their implications

Several outcomes are possible, each with distinct consequences:

• Charges dropped or dismissed: Dismissal could restore Pearce’s ability to return to team activities without criminal encumbrance, though public perception may not fully recover. The league could still act if it found that the conduct violated its standards, but the optics of disciplinary action after dismissal are different from action concurrent with convictions.
• Plea to reduced charges: A negotiated plea may limit incarceration exposure and expedite resolution but will carry criminal penalties and potential league discipline. Teams will weigh whether a plea aligns with long-term roster decisions.
• Conviction at trial: A felony conviction would carry potential prison exposure and almost certainly trigger severe league discipline, including suspension or ban, as well as termination or contract restructuring by the Falcons.
• Deferred resolution or settlement of civil claims: An out-of-court settlement on civil claims — if any are filed — could resolve some civil liability but will not erase criminal exposure or league scrutiny.

Beyond immediate legal consequences, any of these outcomes will influence endorsements, fan support and the player’s future employment opportunities in professional football.

Support systems, counseling and the role of teams in prevention

Teams increasingly recognize the value of proactive programs aimed at behavioral health, anger management and domestic-violence prevention. Player-development staffs often include mental-health professionals, counselors and social workers who can coordinate interventions. To be effective, such programs require buy-in from players, resources from teams and confidentiality.

When allegations arise, organizations must balance due process with the safety of alleged victims and the need to send a clear message about expected conduct. Mandatory counseling and education programs — conditioned on return to play following disciplinary action — have been used in other contexts. Whether these measures address root causes remains contested, but they represent one practical mechanism teams and leagues can deploy in addition to punishment.

What to watch next: milestones that will shape the public and legal narrative

Several near-term events will shape the arc of this case and its ripple effects:

• The protective-order hearing: A permanent injunction hearing will determine whether restrictions remain in place for the long term. Live testimony and judge’s findings will influence both the public narrative and prosecutorial calculations.
• Formal arraignment and detention decisions: Bail conditions and any imposed travel or contact restrictions will affect Pearce’s ability to participate in team activities and could lead to immediate roster or personal consequences.
• Discovery and police evidence release: If prosecutors release video, audio or contemporaneous reports, those materials will heavily influence public perception and the strength of the criminal case.
• NFL review timeline: The league’s independent investigative conclusions and any disciplinary determinations could arrive on a different timetable than the criminal process, creating overlapping consequences.
• Possible civil filings: If the alleged victim files a civil suit, settlement negotiations could unfold alongside criminal proceedings, adding another layer of legal complexity.

Fans, sponsors and league officials will follow these developments closely. Each step has the potential to alter the landscape: a dismissal, a plea, a conviction or a punitive league action would each carry distinct ramifications for Pearce’s career and public standing.

Contextualizing the stakes: player careers, public trust and institutional responsibility

Athletes occupy a public platform that magnifies off-field behavior. When allegations of violence arise, teams and leagues confront competing mandates: protect the presumed innocence of the accused while upholding a duty to protect victims and preserve public trust in the sport. How organizations adjudicate allegations speaks to broader institutional responsibility.

For the player, the stakes include incarceration risk, loss of income, damage to reputation and harm to future opportunities. For the alleged victim, the stakes are personal safety, potential retraumatization and the long process of seeking legal protection. For the league and the Falcons, the stakes include public credibility, sponsor relations and the integrity of their player-conduct frameworks.

Effective systems combine thorough investigations, consistent enforcement, support for victims and rehabilitative pathways where appropriate. The evolving practices across sports reflect an ongoing effort to reconcile justice, accountability and athlete welfare.

How fans and observers should read developments responsibly

High-profile arrests generate immediate reactions, often amplified by selective or out-of-context information. Responsible consumption of news about ongoing legal cases involves waiting for verified documents (court filings, official statements, and recorded evidence), recognizing the presumption of innocence until adjudicated, and acknowledging the limits of information initially available.

At the same time, scrutiny and transparency matter. Public institutions — including sports leagues and teams — owe clarity about how they conduct investigations and why they take specific disciplinary actions. For advocates and stakeholders, balancing the rights of the accused with the rights and safety of alleged victims requires vigilance and patience as the legal process unfolds.

Closing assessment: immediate outlook for Pearce Jr. and the Falcons

As legal proceedings begin and the protective order remains in place, James Pearce Jr. faces a high degree of uncertainty. His nonattendance at the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program signals that both he and the team are treating the matter with caution. The criminal case, the potential for league discipline, and the collateral public-relations fallout form overlapping pressures that could reshape his career trajectory.

The court of law will determine guilt or innocence; the NFL and the Falcons will determine professional consequences based on their policies and the evidence developed in the coming weeks and months. This case underscores how off-field conduct can immediately and dramatically affect on-field careers, how evidence gathered outside the courtroom shapes public judgment, and how professional sports institutions continue to struggle with consistent, transparent mechanisms to address allegations of violence.

FAQ

Q: What charges does James Pearce Jr. face? A: He faces multiple felony charges related to an incident in Doral, Florida, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, resisting an officer with violence, and aggravated stalking, as reported in court and arrest documents.

Q: What is a protective order, and what restrictions does it place on Pearce? A: A temporary protective order — in this case granted to Rickea Jackson — legally prohibits the respondent from contacting the protected person and may restrict proximity to the person’s home, workplace and vehicle. The order in this case bars Pearce from contacting Jackson and requires him to stay at least 500 feet from her home and workplace and 100 feet from her vehicle until a hearing on a permanent injunction.

Q: Will Pearce be suspended by the NFL automatically because of the arrest? A: The NFL does not automatically suspend players upon arrest. The league conducts its own investigation under the personal-conduct policy and can impose discipline independently of criminal outcomes. The timing and severity of any league punishment will depend on the league’s review and the facts it uncovers.

Q: Why is Pearce’s absence from the Falcons’ offseason program significant? A: While offseason programs are typically voluntary, a player’s absence amid serious criminal charges can influence team planning and public perception. The Falcons and the NFL will monitor legal developments; the absence may be a precautionary measure or part of team or legal advice.

Q: Could Pearce lose his contract or guaranteed money? A: Contract language varies. Teams can release players, and suspensions can affect paychecks. Guarantee protections make recouping signing bonuses or guaranteed base salaries difficult without specific contractual provisions or findings of fraud. A criminal conviction would increase the likelihood of severe team action, but guaranteed money is not always recoverable.

Q: What kind of evidence do prosecutors have and what will they need to prove? A: Prosecutors likely rely on police reports, 911 records, vehicle damage documentation, social-media images or video, witness statements and any medical records documenting injuries. For a conviction, prosecutors must prove each element of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt.

Q: How long could this legal process take? A: Criminal cases vary widely in duration. Pretrial phases, discovery, evidentiary hearings and trial scheduling can extend months or more than a year, unless a plea resolves the matter earlier. The protective-order hearing is usually scheduled sooner and could occur within weeks.

Q: Can the alleged victim be compelled to testify? A: If criminal charges proceed, prosecutors can subpoena victims to testify. Some jurisdictions provide witness-protection options and accommodations to minimize trauma. The willingness of an alleged victim to cooperate often strongly affects the prosecution’s case.

Q: How do other high-profile cases inform expectations for how this will be handled? A: Past cases demonstrate variability in outcomes. The NFL has imposed suspensions ranging from several games to more severe penalties depending on the gravity of the facts and public scrutiny. Legal outcomes have included convictions, acquittals, plea deals and civil settlements. Each case depends on its unique facts and evidence.

Q: Where can I find updates as this case develops? A: Follow official court filings in the appropriate jurisdiction, statements from the Falcons and the NFL, and reporting from reputable news organizations that cite primary documents such as arrest reports, court dockets and verified video or audio evidence. Avoid relying solely on unverified social-media posts.