In today’s climate, it is nearly impossible not to see stories of sexual assault allegations in the press or on social media. Its good that victims are coming forward, but unfortunately false accusations do happen.  Here are two examples of false accusations that ruined the lives of the accused.

In 2016, two members of the Sacred Heart University football team were falsely accused of sexual assault by another student after she had consensual relations with them.  The student later admitted that she made up the story because she was worried about losing a potential boyfriend.  Because of this accusation, the football players lost their scholarships.  The woman was later sentenced to a year in prison for her actions. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Woman-Sentenced-to-Jail-for-False-Rape-Accusation-Rolls-Eyes-in-Court-491565291.html

In July of 2018, a woman accused two Bellevue, Washington police officers of sexual assault.  While both officers were cleared after an investigation that lasted months, the damage was done.  One officer was placed on leave until he was cleared.  The other spent 49 days in jail because of the accusation, during which time he split from his wife, resigned from his job, and was forced to sell his house.  All of this was because of a false accusation of sexual assault.  The woman was eventually charged for bringing the false accusations. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/woman-who-accused-bellevue-police-chief-of-sexual-assault-now-faces-criminal-charges/

Getting falsely accused of committing any kind of crime is inherently stressful, but it can be especially devastating if it involves sexual assault. In addition to facing prison time, you will have to register as a sex offender if convicted, which can destroy your reputation. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself in the wake of such allegations. To ensure the best outcome possible, a defense attorney might advise you to do the following right away. 

Record Everything 

Write down everything you remember about the various interactions you’ve had with the accuser as soon as possible. No detail is too small to include. It’s also wise to save any emails, voicemails, text messages, and social media messages that you’ve exchanged with the alleged victim. Comb through all of your accounts to find anything and everything that might contextualize the kind of relationship you had with the accuser. These exchanges will likely serve as the basis of the defense. 

Seek Legal Counsel

As soon as you learn of the accusations, call a defense attorney. Do not talk to the police, the accuser, or anyone else about the case before seeking legal counsel. This will likely be an incredibly stressful time, and it’s only natural to crave support from friends and family members, but discussing the situation with various parties could end up doing more harm than good. Fortunately, a seasoned lawyer should be able to relieve much of your anxiety during the first meeting. As long as you turn to a reputable firm, your legal team will fight tirelessly to fight the charges. 

Sexual assault is a very serious offense, and it is important for victims to come forward and for perpetrators to be held accountable.  However, it is also important that innocent people not be punished or have their lives destroyed because of false accusations.  

James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law, is a strategic defense attorney who does not judge his clients for the situations they have found themselves in. Instead, he aims to protect their constitutional rights at every stage of the criminal proceedings and strives to achieve the best possible outcomes given the circumstances. Based in Cincinnati, OH, he has more than a decade of experience fighting state and federal offenses on behalf of his clients. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, you can count on him for guidance. Visit his website to explore all of his areas of expertise, or call (513) 503-7251 to schedule a consultation with this defense attorney today.