What to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of Rape in Texas
Few people believe they will ever find themselves in a situation in which they are being falsely accused of committing a crime, to say nothing of an extremely serious crime like rape. Nevertheless, false accusations of rape happen to young men in Texas every day.
The consequences of rape accusations can be severe. Not only do you face the chance of a criminal conviction, which most likely means jail time, fines, and probation, but your reputation, job prospects, relationships, and more may be on the line. Even if you are certain that you had completely consensual sex or did not have sex at all with the person accusing you, it is essential to take accusations and any ensuing investigations and charges seriously. Innocent men have been jailed for sex crimes they did not commit.
Learn what to do if you have been accused of rape, and then contact our Texas sex crimes defense attorney now.
Five Things to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of Rape
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Take a breath – The worst thing you could do in your situation is panic and act irrationally. Naturally you are going to be worried about the accusations and their potential consequences, but it is extremely important to think strategically in these situations. Do what you need to do to calm yourself down and act from a position of strength.
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Start gathering evidence – Even if you have not been formally charged, your attorney will help you argue to the investigating authority that you are innocent. The stronger your initial case is during the investigation, the less likely it is that you will be charged. Make sure you keep any communication, including texts, emails, or photos and videos. Write down everything you can remember about the event. With the help of an attorney, talk to people who might be witnesses in your favor.
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Do not contact your accuser – The feeling many people have when falsely accused of rape is anger and disbelief, and understandably so. However, contacting the person accusing you can backfire, even if you do it with the best intentions. Let that person worry about his or her side of the story and you worry about yours.
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Cooperate with police – Once the police start investigating, they are likely to call you in for questioning, perhaps more than once. They may even show up at your home or workplace to try to intimidate you. While it is important to stand up for your rights, it is equally important to treat the police with respect.
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Have an attorney present at every interaction with police – Having an attorney from the get-go significantly strengthens your case. Not only does it show the police and prosecutor that you will not be easy to push around, but it ensures you provide accurate information in interviews with police that does not compromise your innocence. Many times, police will try to convince people being investigated for sex crimes that, since they are not being formally charged, they do not need an attorney during interviews or questioning. This is not true. Having an attorney with you is always your safest bet for getting the investigation and any subsequent charges dropped.
Contact a San Antonio, TX Criminal Defense Attorney Now
Even if you are one hundred percent convinced of your innocence, hire a San Antonio, TX sex crimes defense attorney right away. Our current political moment ensures that those accused of sex crimes are certain to have their story questioned and their rights put at risk. Do not take chances with your future – Call the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock today at 210-226-0965 to schedule a consultation with an aggressive, experienced Texas criminal defense attorney.
