Falsely Accused Of Sexual Assault? Here’s What To Do.

Sexual assault allegations are extremely serious, and the punishment for being convicted of sexual assault in California is severe. While false allegations are relatively uncommon, it does happen on occasion. Simply being accused of sexual assault is often enough to ruin your career and personal reputation for the rest of your life.

Even if you are one hundred percent innocent, and can prove your innocence, you should not take being falsely accused of sexual assault lightly. The most common circumstances of false allegations are during divorce and/or child custody proceedings, and as an act of revenge for a real or imagined offense.

If you’ve been falsely accused of sexual assault, here’s what to do:
 

1) Don’t Talk About The Allegations With Anyone

Under no circumstances should you discuss the allegations with family, friends, or anyone else. Do not attempt to contact the person who has made the allegations, even if you know them well or consider them a friend.

Keep in mind that anything you say to anyone can be used in court against you. Prosecutors love nothing more than to use information you disclosed to friends and family against you.

2) Don’t Talk To The Police

A common mistake made by those falsely accused of a crime is that they can just explain the situation to the police and the whole issue will go away. It does not work that way, ever. If the police attempt to interview you or take you into custody, immediately invoke your right to silence and request an attorney.

The police may even encourage you to come in and clear everything up. Even if you accept such an offer, you should never speak to the police without a lawyer present.
 

3) Start Gathering Evidence

If you know you’re innocent, you should start collecting any evidence you can to disprove the allegations of sexual assault. Evidence you can potentially use includes:

• Receipts
• Call records/history
• Video footage
• Social media posts
• Text messages
• Eye-witnesses

The sooner you can collect evidence that exonerates you of the allegations, the easier it will be for your attorney to handle your case and likely get it dismissed.
 

4) Work With An Experienced Attorney

When looking for an attorney, make sure to ask about previous experience with sexual assault cases specifically. These types of allegations require more specialized knowledge and experience that not all criminal law attorneys have.

At Quinnan Law, we’ve handled dozens of cases involving sexual assault and defended clients who have been falsely accused of sexual assault. For a free consultation about your case, please call our office today.