What to Do if You are Accused of Sexual Assault
A false sexual assault allegation is the reporting of assault without any proof. Sexual assault cases are rampant; the false reporting of these cases is a minuscule fraction of the total assaults reported each year. According to a study published in Violence Against Women, false allegations make up 2%-10% of all reported sexual assault cases. If people raise false allegations of sexual assault so rarely, why worry about them?
Merely associating your name with sexual harassment or assault can drastically damage your reputation, career, and in the worst case scenario, your entire future. Although you might not think that there would be any evidence to put you away for a crime that never occurred, ignoring false accusations against you is the worst thing you can do. Assuming that the problem will sort itself out makes it seem like you have nothing to fight for because you were complicit in the alleged actions. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Understanding “False Allegations”
Thinking of allegations as “true” or “false” may not be the best way to understand them. An allegation is a statement, claim, or assertion a person makes when he or she believes that another person has done wrong or caused harm. Allegations either have merit or not. After a person raises an allegation of sexual assault, police investigate the allegation to understand the facts of the case. Sometimes, the facts line up with the allegation while other times, there is no evidence to support the allegation.
Allegations with merit are substantiated by evidence, while those without merit have no evidence to make them plausible. An allegation without merit may be a fabrication that someone invented with or without malice; however, the fact that an allegation cannot be proven or substantiated with evidence does not mean that the action did not occur.
Responding to Sexual Assault Accusations in Orlando
The justice system in this country is not great at preventing false convictions. Many people have encountered significant setbacks in life from being the subject of unsubstantiated allegations against them. As the target of a sexual harassment or assault allegation in Orlando, you must realize the gravity of the situation and take action.
Hire a Competent Defense Attorney
You must act quickly to retain a defense attorney who has experience resolving cases like yours to protect your reputation. You must fight against the allegations raised to preserve your future. A sex crimes defense attorney will help you navigate the complex situation you’re in and advise you on how to present yourself to the world to mitigate the chances of hurting your own case.
Make a Witness List
Making a list of people you think can vouch for you can come in handy. List all possible witnesses regardless of whether you think the person is important; sometimes, the people you least expect to stand up for you provide the most beneficial testimony. Use index cards to write down names, contact information, and a short bio of each person.
Stay Away from your Accuser
You do not owe anyone who has accused you of sexual assault a thing, nor should you communicate with them or police about the accusations. It is in your best interests to keep quiet about the case until you obtain representation.
Call The Umansky Law Firm for a Free Case Review
As soon as you find out that a person is accusing you of sexual assault, you should call an Orlando sex crimes defense attorney to discover what lies ahead. At the Umansky Law Firm, our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience defending criminal charges. We provide close, personal attention to each and every case and will do what’s necessary to protect your rights.
