eTopical Precious Finds
Domestic abuse is very real and can impact victims for many years to come. However, all too often, people are falsely accused of domestic violence as a means of retaliation, shifting blame, or pure vindictiveness. People lie about being the victim of a crime for a variety of reasons, and you may never fully understand why it’s happening to you.
It’s not fair to be wrongly accused, but unfortunately, you can still get arrested and thrown in jail on the spot just because someone makes the claim. It’s a distressing experience that can threaten your job, relationships, and peace of mind.
If you’ve been falsely accused of domestic violence, and you’re now facing charges, here’s the best way to handle your situation.
1. Hire a lawyer as fast as possible
First and foremost, you absolutely need a good lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t wait any longer if you haven’t already acquired legal counsel. An attorney who specializes in domestic violence charges will know exactly how to build a strong case for your defense.
If you don’t hire a lawyer, or if you refuse a state-appointed attorney, you’re asking for a conviction, especially if you’re male. It’s just an unfortunate truth that courts tend to have a bias against men when they’re accused of domestic violence. That’s not to say some men aren’t guilty, but if you know you’re innocent, the bias will still impact you. You need a skilled attorney to handle your case.
2. Be realistic
Realistically speaking, you’re facing serious charges that come with hefty fines and possibly jail time if convicted. It’s important to be realistic about your situation and understand that your lawyer will do everything in their power to get you a good case outcome, but there’s always a chance that you’ll still end up with some kind of charge. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get your charges dropped or work out some kind of plea deal. Before accepting or rejecting a deal from the prosecution, listen to your attorney’s advice and consider it carefully. If you make the wrong choice, there’s no going back.
3. Stay emotionally calm
Even if you aren’t feeling calm inside, never allow yourself to express those emotions in court. One single outburst – even something as small as rolling your eyes, sighing, or shaking your head – can get you in more trouble, like being held in contempt of court. Not to mention, this type of behavior can make a judge angry and encourage them to throw the book at you.
4. Be honest
Be completely honest about what happened. Never lie to your lawyer because it could come back to hurt you. Not to mention, lying to your lawyer will impact your case outcome by altering the advice they give and the strategy they use to defend you.
If you never had any physical contact with your accuser, say so. However, if you were involved in a physical altercation of sorts, or if you know what triggered their accusations, don’t omit that information when your lawyer asks you what happened.
While it won’t make you look any better, if you were involved in a physical altercation with the other person, be honest about what happened. Maybe all that happened is you pushed each other around and they fell down, or you just had a shoving match and they exaggerated the situation to be something far worse. Whatever the case may be, tell the complete truth when asked for the details.
5. Prepare for the possibility of conviction
Unfortunately, not everyone wrongfully accused of domestic violence will get their charges dropped. It’s not the outcome you want, but it’s a possibility. You can’t know going into this, exactly how a judge or jury will rule. You might get your charges dismissed, or you could be pushed to accept a plea deal to avoid a jury trial.
In the end, you might get convicted of something, even if it’s not your original charge. Just be prepared for this possibility and start thinking about what you need to do to sort out your life in case you end up having to serve time.
Fight your charges with an attorney
False domestic violence charges are awful to face, but they don’t have to dictate your future. A good lawyer will fiercely defend you against the false accusations to get you the best possible outcome for your case.
