Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime? Here’s Exactly What to Do

Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime? Here’s Exactly What to Do

Crime has long plagued on humanity. Wether through shootings, or street fights, or any other act of graphic violence for that matter, it’s not unusual to stumble on grizzly videos online. Crime news websites such as Hoodsite and USACRIME which post torture and gore videos are just a harsh reality check of the evil world we live in.

But no matter how gut wrenching or upsetting some of these real death videos might be, there are a few things more harrowing and enraging than a few gruesome clips. And one of those things is being falsely accused of a sex crime. This one lie has the potential to wreck the rest of your life and flip your reputation upside down. So if you’re facing false accusations, you have to act quickly and firmly.

Understand the Severity of the Allegations

When someone is accused of a crime that they did not commit, the first reaction is usually one of confusion and anger. Then, as those initial emotions die down, there’s typically a moment of relief where people think to themselves, “I didn’t do it, so there’s no way they’ll actually find me guilty. I’ll just let the process unfold and the truth will come out. Innocent until proven guilty, right?”

Here’s the thing: Sometimes that works, but oftentimes it doesn’t. Just because you’re innocent, doesn’t mean the truth will always come out. The old adage of innocent until proven guilty rarely seems to apply in sex crime cases. The mere mention of a sex crime allegation seems to cloud the public opinion (and may even filter into a courtroom where the jury sits).

Let’s be clear about one thing: Allegations of sexual abuse or sexual assault (or anything in between) are extremely serious and can’t be ignored or downplayed. The consequences for your crime will depend on the severity and the jurisdiction you’re in.

However, in many states, even a third-degree sexual offense can carry as much as 10 years in prison. You have to treat the allegations/charges against you with the seriousness that they deserve and be extremely proactive.

Select the Right Attorney for Your Case

How can you be proactive in your defense against these ridiculous allegations? Don’t run to social media and post a 10-minute video proclaiming your innocence. And certainly don’t drive to the accuser’s house and have a “clear the air” meeting. Both of these things will hurt far more than help.

The best thing you can do is hire a sex crimes defense attorney. You don’t want just any attorney. You need someone who is experienced in defending cases just like yours. Your reputation and freedom are on the line. Hire the person who can prove your innocence and help you move on with your life.

Build an Arsenal of Evidence

Cases of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape can be long and drawn out. These things don’t get resolved overnight, nor will they be settled in a few weeks. In all likelihood, you’re looking at a battle that will take months or years to resolve. The sooner you can build up an arsenal of evidence to support your innocence, the better the outcome will be for you.

No evidence is too silly to record. Text messages, phone logs, surveillance tapes, witness statements, character references, clothing, physical belongings – keep track of anything and everything you possibly can. (Better yet, let your attorney know so that they can go through the proper process of documenting this evidence.)

As you’re building your arsenal of evidence, you should also start compiling a war chest. A long and drawn-out case can be expensive. Good attorneys aren’t cheap and you’ll need to be prepared to pay accordingly. Speak with your lawyer about their fees and the payment schedule. If necessary, look into legal defense financing options.

Remain Silent and Keep Your Emotions in Check

Sitting still while people slander your good name in the media and your community is one of the most difficult things you can do. You’ll feel angry and frustrated. You might even feel like you’re being weak and passive. But the truth is that remaining silent is the best thing you can do. Lashing out or saying too much will only hurt your case. Let your attorney steer the ship and determine action.

On a related note, it’s imperative that you keep your emotions in check. Anger, frustration, and resentment are normal things to feel in a situation such as this. It’s for this reason that you should get off social media and only communicate with people who are supportive of you.

Patiently Wait for the Truth to Surface

If you do a good job of staying calm and proactively handing your defense off to your attorney, you should be able to prove your innocence and move on with your life. The key is to act swiftly and work with a good attorney who knows how to find flaws in false allegations.

Patience might not be the most exciting virtue, but it’s certainly one of the most important in a situation like this.