It is many people’s worst nightmare, but it happens: you had a great weekend with the person you love. Next, they are accusing you of date rape. And before you can wrap your mind around it, everyone (from your family to friends and co-workers) knows about it. In fact, your employer too is considering terminating your contract. What do you do?
If you are falsely accused of date rape, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced legal professional to start building the strongest possible defense. But that is not all. It is equally important that you know what missteps to avoid before your case is resolved.
Mistake: Contact your accuser
You might be tempted to reach out to your accuser to patch things up or simply get them to speak the truth. Unfortunately, this can be a big mistake. They might accuse you of intimidation — and this can complicate matters for you. Conversely, if your accuser reaches out for a “deal” in order to withdraw the accusation, you should not take that call for the same reason. Instead, tell your attorney that your accuser wants to talk so that they can reach out to the alleged victim’s attorney in ways that won’t hurt your case.
Mistake: Ignore the matter altogether
Contacting your accuser can complicate matters, but so can ignoring the accusation. A sex offense accusation is a big deal, and a conviction can not only ruin your reputation but also lead to lengthy jail time. And even after paying your price to society, you might also end up on the sex offender registry. Ignoring a criminal investigation can leave you extremely vulnerable to serious charges.
Protecting your rights
If you are falsely accused of date rape, you need to take the matter seriously. Learning more about Florida sex offense laws with the assistance of an experienced legal professional can help you figure out the best defense options under the circumstances.