7 Signs You Need to Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer
May 20, 2020Everything to Do When Facing False Accusations of Sexual Assault
June 21, 2020Being accused of a crime is a serious and terrible event in a person’s life. Having false sexual assault allegations brought against you can change the course of your life.
Between two to eight percent of reported sexual assaults turn out to be false.
If you are being falsely accused, make sure you follow these tips.
1. Prepare Your Legal Funds
Hiring a legal defense team will be expensive. Prepare to pay a high dollar amount that will include motions, private investigators, expert witnesses, and more.
If someone is accusing you of sexual assault, many times there are criminal charges that will follow. You can jump ahead of the charges by hiring a lawyer to run interference on the investigation while you raise the money.
You can also pay for a polygraph test to submit to a police detective before charges are levied.
This is the perfect time to liquidate funds, sell assets, or borrow money to pay for all your expenses. Don’t forget to set aside money for new suits.
2. Know the Risks
If you are accused of sexual assault, understand the risks and trouble you that come with it. Your actions, words, and history will be examined with a magnifying glass. Even if you have good intentions, be wary of things that might look bad on your behalf.
When you make decisions to help yourself, make these decisions in a timely manner. Many people do not think they’re in serious trouble, or they deny the possible charges.
As soon as you hear that there are accusations made against you, don’t waste time. Take action to mitigate the problems. You might have to hire a lawyer right away.
3. Legal Representation in False Sexual Assault Allegations
As mentioned earlier, professional and skilled legal representation will be the reason you are set free or protected.
The attorney you select to defend you will need to be specifically trained to handle sexual assault cases. Don’t ask a civil litigator or family lawyer to handle the case. You wouldn’t ask a race car driver to fly your plane.
Make sure you ask the attorney what their experience and outcomes are in sexual assault cases. They will need excellent investigation and interview skills to help you prove the allegations are bogus.
4. Do Your Own Work
A lawyer can only do so much. Track down and preserve the evidence and statements that will help you.
Most lawyers will be working on multiple cases at once. Help make their job easier by leaving no stone unturned. If you were at a movie during the time of the accusation, ask the theater if they have footage of you entering and leaving.
If you don’t know if are allowed to talk to certain people or places, consult your trained attorney first. They will know who you can legally contact.
Most of the time, people are familiar with the person who is making false accusations. If you know your accuser, you will know certain information better than a private investigator.
Help them by giving background information that could lead to a confession or exculpatory piece of evidence.
You can also help your lawyer by creating a timeline of events from the day in question. Generally, a professional lawyer will go through this with you. But being prepared will save everyone time and money.
5. Start Creating a Witness List
Take a few days to write down the names and information of people who can be a witness for you. You’ll need contact information as well as how they know you and why they are important to the accusation.
Collect the names of people who like you and don’t like you that could help your defense. You can also write down a list of people who would be great character witnesses on your behalf.
No one is too insignificant. If they can help prove the allegations are false, write them down and let your lawyer decide who is useful and who isn’t.
6. Protect Your Interests
Don’t speak to anyone not involved with the case unless you have the permission of your lawyer. There may be a detective or police officer who may seem like a friend, but they are probably trying to extract information to use against you.
Never make a comment about the accusations on social media. Nothing you publicly post will help you; it can only hurt you.
Unless you have permission from your lawyer, he or she will now become your voice to the public. Their guidance will prevent you from making mistakes that could lead to criminal charges or jail.
7. Educate Yourself
Don’t sit on the sidelines if you’re fighting for your livelihood. Educate yourself on the law and the penalties.
Spend time knowing your rights, investigative procedures, and the penalties for doing the wrong things. If something is confusing you, ask your lawyer questions. It’s why you’re paying them.
It’s also important to understand the rights of the accuser. This will give you valuable insight into their motivation. You may also learn the different angles of attack they will levy against you.
A strong defense is a good offense. Remember, if criminal charges are filed, the burden is on the accuser to prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.
8. Find Support in Your Family
Seek the support of your loved ones who are going to believe you are innocent. It’s not healthy to try and fight these false allegations alone.
Be careful who you trust. If you don’t know if a friend will support you, it’s best not to say anything to them at all.
If you can’t find emotional support, ask your lawyer for a referral to a licensed therapist so you can talk out your emotions and feelings.
Fight for Your Life
If you’re facing false sexual assault allegations, it’s better to over-prepare instead of nothing at all. Criminal charges will mean you’re in for a fight for your life.
Make sure you follow these tips so you can prove your innocence and reclaim your life.
If you need a professional lawyer who will fight for you, contact us today.