There are unfortunate incidents where people are falsely accused of sexual assault. The first thing many people end up doing is panicking, but there are better steps you can take to help you throughout this difficult process.
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Select The Right Attorney
Your first step should be to look for an attorney. They’ll consider intelligent defense for sex crimes, especially the attorneys who’ve worked on sexual assault cases in the past.
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Don’t Go Into Denial
That won’t make the problem go away. Instead, sticking your head in the sand will only compound the problem and increase your legal troubles.
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Start Saving
These kinds of cases take a lot of time and money to prosecute, so it helps to start saving up as much money as you can to tackle all of the problems that may be heading your way.
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Create a Timeline
Put the panic to one side and focus on creating a timeline of where you were and what you were doing at the time you’ve been alleged to have committed this crime. Write down as many details as you can remember to help strengthen your defense.
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Create A Witness List
Start compiling a list of people that you may be able to call on. Get a set of flash cards and write down each person’s name, address, phone number, place of employment, and a little biography about them. You should also include what they can testify to; for example, the name of a waiter who served you at a restaurant if you were not at the location at the time the crime was said to have been committed.
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Keep Yourself In Check
This is a stressful time, so it’s important that you consider what you say and do out in public. If you handle yourself poorly, then you can end up hurting your own case.
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Educate Yourself
Do the research necessary to find the right legal team for you. Don’t just go with the first attorney that crosses your path, and focus on attorneys who will explain and tell you what you need to do for your case to head towards success.
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Cut Off Communication With Your Accuser
Nothing is worse than stirring the pot with more drama and making things look worse or yourself. Continuing to talk to them will give them more evidence that they can use against you in the future.
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Consider Enrolling in Counseling
By enrolling in counseling voluntarily, it will demonstrate to the courts by the time your case comes up that you’ve already taken steps in self-improvement. Some people may misread this as a sign of guilt (why would they need counseling if they didn’t do anything?) but it can only help your case in the end.
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Continue to Persevere
It may feel easy at times to just give up, but that’s throwing the baby out with the bath water. Your rights have to be protected, and you can only do so by taking the initiative to do so.
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