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What to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence in NYC
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What to Do If Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence in NYC
Getting accused of something you didn’t do is scary and overwhelming. If you’ve been falsely accused of domestic violence in New York City, try to stay calm and know that there are options and people who can help. Here’s an overview of some steps to take if you find yourself in this situation:
Get a Lawyer
The first thing you’ll want to do is get an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. A good lawyer can review the allegations against you, build a strong defense, and make sure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.Some things a lawyer can help with:
- Give you an honest assessment of your case
- Advise your next steps based on the specifics of your situation
- Work to get inaccurate or false charges dropped or downgraded
- Gather evidence and witnesses to support your innocence
- Negotiate with the prosecutor
- Defend you in court if it goes to trial
Having an advocate in your corner makes a huge difference. Don’t go it alone here if you can avoid it.
Gather Evidence of Your Innocence
Your lawyer can send investigators to gather evidence and statements from witnesses that can corroborate your innocence.For example, they may be able to obtain:
- Security camera footage
- Cell phone records, texts, social media posts
- Financial records
- Witness accounts of the incident or relationship dynamics
The more evidence you have to contradict the accusations against you, the better.
Watch What You Say
You’ll be scared, angry, confused but be very careful about what you say to anyone (police, prosecutors, even friends and family) in the aftermath of being accused. Comments could be taken out of context or misinterpreted to seem like an admission of guilt.
- Don’t try to explain away the allegations or make excuses
- Don’t speculate about motives or blame the accuser
- Stick to factual statements supported by evidence
Let your lawyer do the talking for you when it comes to the case.
Consider Taking a Plea Deal
If the evidence against you is substantial, your attorney may advise considering a plea deal instead of going to trial.While pleading guilty to something you didn’t do feels unjust, a deal can allow you to plead down to a lesser charge and receive a lighter sentence versus risking a guilty verdict in trial and harsher punishment.Talk through all options thoroughly with your lawyer before making any decisions.
Expect it to Be Stressful
Being accused of domestic violence can take a major toll – legally, financially, emotionally, reputationally. The stress can affect your work, relationships and overall well-being.Some tips for coping:
- Lean on trusted friends/family – don’t isolate yourself
- See a therapist – the emotional support can be very helpful
- Take care of yourself – eat healthy, exercise, get sleep
- Avoid drugs/alcohol – they’ll only make things worse
- Join a support group – connect with others facing similar battles
This situation may dominate your life for quite awhile. Having healthy outlets and support systems will help you get through it.
How to Rebuild Your Reputation
Even if your charges are eventually dropped or you are found not guilty, the domestic violence accusation can still follow you and impact how people see you. Some tips for rebuilding your reputation:
- Be patient – it takes time for new information to spread
- Get formal documents that confirm details – like case dismissals, court transcripts
- Ask supportive friends/family to advocate for you
- Share your side of the story when appropriate
- Volunteer, support causes related to false accusations
- Continue living your life with integrity
With time, your actions and character will speak louder than the accusations against you. But it does take concerted effort to redeem your reputation after it’s been tarnished.
Explore Options for Recourse
If it’s confirmed that false allegations were deliberately made against you, you may have options like:
- Suing for defamation, slander or malicious prosecution
- Filing professional complaints if it was law enforcement or government abuse
- Advocating for policy changes around false allegations
- Joining reform movements
Work with your lawyer to determine if you have grounds for and want to pursue any civil cases or organizational outreach.Seeing some form of justice for damage done can be very empowering. Being accused of domestic violence when you are innocent is an infuriating and traumatic experience. The steps above give an overview of practical things you can do to defend yourself and get your life back on track. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You don’t have to manage this on your own, and the situation is not hopeless. There are people in your corner, fighting alongside you.
Resources
How Criminal Defense Lawyers Help the Falsely Accused https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/how-criminal-defense-lawyers-help-the-falsely-accusedWhat to Avoid Saying When Falsely Accused https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/askihn/falsely_accused_of_a_crime_what_not_to_say/Should I Accept a Plea Bargain if Innocent? https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/should-i-accept-plea-bargain-if-innocent.htmlCoping When Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-cope-when-falsely-accused-5208953Therapist NYC | Therapy for Stress Management
https://joshuakantor.com/Rebuilding Your Reputation After False Accusations
https://reputationdefender.com/blog/privacy/defamation-of-character-false-accusations