How to Build a Defense Against a False Accusation
If you’re an average, law-abiding citizen, you might never have even considered the possibility that someone might falsely accuse you of a crime. However, false accusations unfold much more frequently than we imagine, and they can have devastating and life-changing consequences.
For all its faults, our legal system is a relatively strong one, and if you take the right steps, you’ll have a good chance of successfully defending yourself against these false accusations. But how exactly should you go about this process?
Hire a Lawyer
It’s important to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Almost inarguably, this is the most important first step to take, and the step most likely to help you resolve this situation favorably.
Your criminal defense lawyer is going to be your representative and advisor throughout this entire process. They’re going to work directly with you to help you understand the charges you’re facing, the circumstances of your case, and the process going forward. They can sit with you during police interrogations and guide you on what to say and when to say it. They can monitor your criminal proceedings and make sure your rights are respected at every step. They can even negotiate with prosecutors and represent you in court if necessary.
It’s important to be extremely honest with your lawyer, even if there are some factors working against you. Your lawyer is only going to be able to help you if they understand everything that’s going on. Additionally, you need to trust your lawyer and follow their advice as closely as possible.
Stay Calm, But Take the Accusation Seriously
After being falsely accused of a crime, it’s natural to feel scared, overwhelmed, and angry. It’s important to take this accusation seriously, but at the same time, you need to remain calm. If you can stay calm under this pressure, you’ll be much more likely to make logical, rational decisions, and you’ll be able to better protect your mental health as well.
Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
Together with your lawyer, you should gather as much evidence as possible to defend yourself and clear your name.
These are just some examples of things that could help you:
· Evidence of whereabouts. Can you find or gather any evidence of your whereabouts that could prove you weren’t in a specific place at a specific time? For example, do you have receipts or surveillance footage that proves you were nowhere near the crime when it allegedly happened?
· Witness statements. You may also be able to gather witness statements. Do you know of anyone who was with you at the time this crime allegedly occurred? Do you know anyone who witnessed the incident in question and can support your version of events? Witnesses aren’t ironclad, but they can be very valuable.
· Communications with your accuser. It’s also possible to submit evidence of communications with your accuser. Did they ever threaten to falsely accuse you of a crime? Did they ever imply that they would retaliate against you for something you did? Do you have other evidence that the two of you have a contentious relationship?
· Private polygraphs. In some cases, it pays to have a private polygraph test done, suggesting that you’re honest in your assertions.
Remain Quiet (for Now)
You have a right to remain silent, and you should definitely take advantage of it. Don’t answer police questions without a lawyer present, and don’t talk about this case online or with people you don’t know very well. Any slight misstep could end up working against you.
Be Professional and Cooperative
Generally, it’s important to be professional and cooperative throughout this process. Remain polite, comply with requests, and don’t start any conflicts unnecessarily.
Guard Your Reputation
After being accused of a crime, you’ll need to think about your reputation. There isn’t much you’ll be able to do until the charges are dropped or defeated, but you can use this time to plan ahead about how you’re going to repair your reputation when this is all over.
Consider a Civil Lawsuit Against Your Accuser
If you successfully defend yourself from the accusation, you may be in a position to file a civil lawsuit against your false accuser. It’s not going to undo all the hardship that you faced or the reputational damage that you suffered, but you could be in a position to win compensatory damages.
Handling a false accusation is stressful and challenging, especially if you know you’ve done nothing wrong. But if you hire a good criminal defense lawyer, follow their advice carefully, and make rational decisions throughout this process, you’ll be in a much better position to overcome these charges and move on with your life.
