It happens more often than people would like to admit and being falsely accused of a sex crime can be scary, frustrating, and life-altering. The good news is committing to the right actions and having a plan can put you back in the right in the eyes of the justice system. Our experienced assault attorneys and sex crime lawyers break down exactly what you should do if you are falsely accused of a sex crime.
Understand the Gravity Of Your Situation
This is not the time to sugar coat things, plain and simple. Things can get very bad for you if you are accused of a sex crime. Countless times our sex crime defense attorneys take on clients that have let their case go on far too long. A lot of the time we hear “They didn’t have any evidence” or “I didn’t do it, so I thought I was fine.” No matter the situation, being accused is serious and can have damaging ramifications on your life.
Understanding the seriousness can help you make the right decisions from the start. Procrastinating or feeling overconfident can have disastrous results. Setting up a game plan at the beginning and getting professional help early gives you the best chance of getting the outcome you want.
Hire The Right Lawyer For You
Every case is different and that means there is no “one size fits all” lawyer. Finding an experienced lawyer that you need is one of the most important steps you can take when accused of a sex crime.
Does the sex crime you’ve accused of include a juvenile? Do you need an assault attorney? Do you need a lawyer with trial experience?
There are many questions that can help you sort through and select a criminal defense attorney but remember your sex crime charges are unique. Find a lawyer that has years of experience in areas you will need for your particular case.
If you are looking for a sex crimes defense attorney, make up a list of questions you have and schedule two or three interviews with different law firms. Most law firms will offer a free consultation and discuss your case. The law offices that you schedule interviews with should also have a license and experienced practice in the area you were accused of.
Remember a sexual sex offense in Baltimore, Maryland is completely different than a sex offense in California. Depending on the state, the crimes may carry different punishments or even be classified differently.
Start Building Your Defense
It is important to remember that a lot of your defense will actually come from you and your knowledge of the situation. Think about all the events that led up to the accusation, what actually happened, and anything you think could be important after it happened.
Write EVERYTHING down and keeping it somewhere safe is extremely important. You might be able to remember it now but you don’t want to forget it. Also, by writing everything down and giving it to your sex crimes defense attorney, they might be able to ascertain something about the case you didn’t think of.
After you have a timeline of all the events leading up to, during, and after, it is time to start thinking of possible witnesses and build a witness list. You will need any witnesses of the event but you might also need character witnesses.
Writing down every single person you think would help your cause goes a long way with your defense team in helping them put together a sound strategy on your behalf. Remember, sex crime cases can be tricky, and giving your sex crime lawyer as much ammo as possible will only help your cause.
Get Tested
When it comes to sex crimes, there can be a piece of evidence in the case that proves a person is guilty. You want to make sure that you can show you don’t have what it takes to be guilty. Depending on your specific case, getting scientific tests ran can help prove your innocence. Find out what evidence has been gathered and test yourself against the evidence to prove you did not do it.
DNA evidence goes a long way so having your DNA ready and on display demonstrates a strong defense. If you were guilty, you would not show up to the courtroom with your DNA test to prove your guilt. Ask your lawyer what testing you need to get done to help in your case and then be sure to go get it.
Do What You’re Told By Your Attorney
The last thing you must do is listen to your defense team. Your emotions will be running high throughout this time but you are under a microscope. If your lawyers tell you to stay away from certain people until after the acquittal, then do it.
Being falsely accused of a sex crime is hurtful and can make you feel like doing things that might not be in your best interest. That is why it is extremely important to get detailed instructions to adhere to, like a list that our sex crime lawyers give to our clients. Follow the directions and protect yourself from unnecessary hiccups.
Stay Calm
Not only are your emotions running high by now, but it can be extremely stressful and intimidating when accused of a sex crime. Try to keep your mind in a good place by exercising, keeping around family and loved ones, and stay away from substances that might trigger more emotions (alcohol and drugs). Your lawyers are working hard for you so staying calm and healthy both in body and mind will help get you through this tasking time.
It is not fun being falsely accused of a sex crime. It’s serious, holds lots of ramifications, and is a life-altering event. Taking the right steps should protect you from serious consequences and see you through to the other side of the tunnel. If you are in the Baltimore, Maryland area and need help from an experienced assault attorney or the best sex crime lawyer, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.