Being falsely accused of sex assault is one of the worst things that can happen, especially when those allegations are preposterous. If this happened to you, it is critical to contact a Fort Hood criminal defense lawyer to defend yourself against the sex crime charges.
Many people mistakenly believe that hiring a criminal attorney means that they are admitting their fault. However, that is not true. Contacting a skilled lawyer shows that you are prepared to fight back against the false allegations to protect your interests and freedom.
Why Am I Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime?
The reasons why an individual may be falsely accused of sexual assault or any other sex crime vary from one case to another. It may seem difficult to believe that someone could lie and make false allegations of sexual assault, especially given the serious nature of the crime.
However, when preparing a defense strategy, it is vital to understand the reasons why you were falsely accused of a sex crime to know how to defend yourself against the accusations.
Some of the most common reasons why people are falsely accused of sex crimes when they are innocent include:
Mistaken identity. The accuser may make false allegations of sexual assault without a willful intent to harm you or get you in trouble. In many cases, people are falsely accused of sex crimes because the alleged victim mistakes the accused person for another person who actually committed the crime. It is not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to accuse the wrong person when they were intoxicated at the time of the offense.
Shame. For some accusers, saying that someone sexually assaulted them is a way to avoid accountability for having sexual intercourse with the alleged abuser. For example, a young girl may feel shame when her parents find out about her sexual relationship with an adult man, so she ends up saying that the man forced her to have sex without her consent.
Revenge. Many false allegations of sex crimes are made out of revenge. Falsely accusing someone of a crime is a way to retaliate against them when the accuser holds a grudge against the alleged abuser.
Mental instability. Often, false allegations of sexual assault are made when the accuser has a mental illness or is otherwise delusional.
Gain advantage. It is not rare for one spouse to falsely accuse the other spouse of sexual assault, rape, or another sex crime to gain an advantage in a divorce or child custody proceeding.
4 Things to Avoid When You Have Been Falsely Accused of a Sex Crime
If you have been falsely accused of sexual assault or another sex crime, you should avoid the following things:
Confronting the accuser. The worst thing you can do when the accuser makes false allegations against you is to confront her or him. Doing so can make things worse. Instead, the first person you should contact is your criminal defense lawyer.
Representing yourself. Many people who have been wrongly accused of a sex crime think that it will be easy to defend themselves simply because they are innocent and the allegations are false. Unfortunately, that is not true because you still need to convince the judge that the accusations are false.
Talking to the police before consulting with your Fort Hood criminal defense lawyer. It is not a good idea to make statements to the police after you have been falsely accused of a sex crime. It is best to call your lawyer to discuss your defense strategy before providing recorded statements to the police.
Using social media to vent. Expressing your anger is a natural response after being falsely accused of a crime. However, it is not advisable to use social media to vent and tell your followers about the wrong allegations because anything you post online can be used against you.
Consequences of False Allegations of Sex Crimes
Facing false allegations of sex crimes is a serious matter despite the fact that you are innocent and the accuser is making false accusations. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, anyone – mostly men – can be found guilty of a sex crime based on false allegations.
That is why it is essential to contact a criminal defense attorney if you have been wrongly accused of sexual assault to apply the presumption of innocence in your case and help you dismiss or reduce the charges.
Depending on the type and seriousness of the alleged offense, you could face up to 99 years in prison and hefty fines. In addition to these penalties, you could be registered as a sex offender after being found guilty of a sex crime.
The consequences of a sex crime conviction also include having problems finding employment and housing opportunities. Due to the serious nature of the consequences of the conviction, it is vital to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer if You Have Been Wrongly Accused of a Sex Crime
An experienced and dedicated criminal defense attorney can help you avoid a conviction if you have been falsely accused of a sex crime in Texas. While it may seem that you do not need a lawyer to defend yourself against the false allegations, representing yourself is not advised.
All allegations, even false ones, should be taken seriously, especially if you have been accused of a sex crime such as sexual assault.
A skilled Fort Hood criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid a conviction by doing the following:
Applying the presumption of innocence to ensure that you are not convicted based on false allegations;
Proving that there is not sufficient evidence to find you guilty of the sex crime beyond a reasonable doubt;
Investigate your case to prove that the accuser consented to the sexual intercourse; and
Identify weaknesses and inconsistencies in the accuser’s story and the prosecutor’s case.
If you hire a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, you may not even have to go to court. Your lawyer may be able to get the charges dismissed due to the lack of sufficient evidence in your case.
Talk to a Fort Hood Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been falsely accused of a sex crime in Fort Hood or other parts of Texas, it is essential to speak with a criminal defense lawyer right away. Talk to our Fort Hood criminal lawyers at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard to discuss your particular situation and help you get the charges dismissed or dropped. Call 254-501-4040 for a free case review.