Vindictive spouses, ex’s, and others will sometimes resort to making false reports of domestic violence. It is a horrible thing to do to a person. Confused family members may make false accusations, believing that abuse has actually occurred and that they are doing the right thing.
If you have been wrongfully accused of domestic violence, you cannot rely on your innocence or your reputation to save you. Domestic violence charges are very serious. Even if you are not convicted, you can suffer life-changing consequences. If you are convicted, you can lose some of your most basic rights and it could cost you your job and career opportunities. If you have children, you could lose custody.
What to Do If You Are Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence
There are several things you should do and others that you should refrain from doing, if you have been falsely accused of domestic violence:
- First, talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away. Domestic violence charges can have very serious consequences, even if you are not convicted.
- If there is an order of protection or a no contact order, make sure you understand the terms of the order and do not risk violating it in any way.
- Stay off of social media. You will probably feel compelled to share the injustice you are suffering and, if you are being attacked on social media, you may feel the need to defend yourself. Resist that urge at all costs. It will only make things worse for you and can be used against you in court, no matter how right you are.
- Change your passwords for everything so that your accuser cannot use your accounts, your phone, or your other devices to send threatening messages to themself or others and make it look like it was you. This really happens.
- Make sure you protect your bank account and credit cards as well.
- Keep a journal of everything that has happened, and everything that happens going forward.
If you have been wrongfully accused of domestic violence or if you believe that you will be, the criminal defense attorneys of Milligan Law Offices can help. Call us right away at 479-783-2213 or email us to learn more.