It may seem that you are stuck when you are accused of sexual assault. And, unfortunately, people will start accusing you of the act without even giving you a chance to defend yourself. However, you need to remember that you are innocent until you are proven guilty and despite how your peers, friends, and authorities may act towards you, this is simply a fact. Also, you would need to learn how to deal with a newly created image of yourself and how would you reshape it once you are proven not guilty. Sexual assault charges are not only a huge legal problem but quite a humiliating experience. So, here is the list of how to respond to the charges of sexual assault.
Talk to a Person You Can Trust
Facing allegations of sexual harassment and assault can have a serious emotional and psychological toll on the accused. This happens especially when the allegations are false. Since these offenses are remarkably stigmatized, the accused person may be found guilty by society before the final judge. When this occurs, it is quite normal for the accused to feel overwhelmed and defeated at the same time amidst these allegations. Unfortunately, this may even lead to the accused ones admitting the crime they did not commit or failing to take some steps that will ensure that their rights are protected. In certain cases, it may even be necessary to vent to the person who you know you can trust and that they would not judge you. This can be your best friend, parent, or lawyer. The context of the conversation should include all of the details of what exactly happened and what acts were taken wrongly. Merely, letting these emotions out, all of the emotions related to this case can actually help you cope with the stress and the entire situation which is not easy for anyone.
Seek Legal Protection
Although you can go through the case on your own there is no need for that and you should not try to handle the situation on your own. You need to access a skilled attorney as this is highly necessary and it is your constitutional right you should take advantage of. According to this Denver sexual assault lawyer, there are many forms of sexual assault and it is of the highest importance to understand all of these charges. You should look for an attorney that will provide you with the best piece of advice, and give instructions on how to behave in this specific situation. You should know that every conversation with your legal representative is highly confidential and it is the attorney’s responsibility to maintain confidentiality during your communication. Consulting an experienced attorney who has previously handled these cases can increase your chances of the best possible outcome. Working with lawyers who can offer you resources, pieces of advice, and knowledge can make a huge difference in your case.
You Should Not Talk to Alleged Victim
If you have been accused of sexual assault, then, you would be issued a no-contact order with the alleged victim. This form of the legal document contains a whole variety of different restrictions which are imposed against the accusers with the effort to separate both parties for the duration of the investigation process. Violating these orders and establishing communication with the alleged victim, or even attempting to communicate with them, can easily be perceived as an act of retaliation which can make things significantly complex.
You should Not Temper with Witnesses
This can be an unintentional scenario, however, it will never be perceived that way. When there is a difference in the story of what witnesses had said and what you have claimed, authorities may assume that you are changing your story and it brings even bigger ambiguity to the case and even make the witness’ testimony dubious. You should never try to intimidate and threaten witnesses. It is not a very good idea to intimidate them in any form. It is quite understandable that at some point you can get frustrated because of the circumstances, however, these acts can make your case very frustrating and will appear as if you are trying to sabotage the case. Also, it is not smart to tell people what to say about the event when they are interviewed. All you can do in this situation is to let the witnesses say what they intended to say. Just as we have mentioned before, any discovered intrusions made by you can cause a lot of hassle and authorities will eventually become skeptical about your case.
Do Not Ignore Charges Just Because They Are False
Even though it can be pretty tempering to ignore the charges and hope for the best or for them to miraculously disappear because you know you are innocent, this is not how things are done. Perhaps you are not aware of how much the situation is complicated and how serious these charges are, sexual charges can have life-long consequences. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for you to learn how to deal with the charges so you can effectively protect yourself.
Do Not Try to Defend Yourself
It is a very natural reaction of you to try to explain what happened and tell your side of the story regarding these events, however, it can be critical since you can appear as if you are trying to avoid the case and make excuses about what actually happened. From the moment you are accused, everything being said would be used against you. This may include conversations with your friends, discussions about the case, and even posts on social media. You need to make sure that you are speaking only through your attorney and that you are keeping things low until the matter is settled.
Sexual accusations and sexual assault accusations can be serious degrading events that can take place in anyone’s life. If you are trying to make things better on your own, you would most likely make the situation even worse. So, it is of the utmost importance to always consult and talk to your lawyer before acting.
