Board-Certified Criminal Defense Representation In Central Florida

Dealing with the consequences of false rape allegations

by | Jan 24, 2017 | Sex Offenses |

Sexual assault is among the most sensitive and difficult charges of which a person can be accused. Not only is the nature of these crimes particularly troubling, but oftentimes the case boils down to one person’s word against another’s.

People in this situation typically need to aggressively defend themselves by calling witnesses, examining the accusing party’s character and motivation, and challenging any baseless allegations. When these efforts are successful, a person should be cleared of any false charges. But that doesn’t mean the case is closed for someone who has been wrongfully accused, and it can be very difficult to know how to move forward.

One Florida man recently chose to file a lawsuit against a fellow student who falsely accused him of rape and staff members at his university citing defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Legal action can be a good way to seek financial compensation for the damages caused by wrongful allegations.

Legal action is an effective way to hold someone criminally responsible for making false rape allegations.

If you are a student, you may need to confront school officials to have your standing as a student, position on any teams and other roles reinstated. If you are a professional, you should make sure suspensions or revocations of licenses or permissions are lifted.

It may also be wise to seek out some counseling to help you cope with the trauma through which you have suffered.

While these are ways ways you can to try to get back some normalcy in your life, the fact is that rape allegations — wrongful or not — can be devastating. Internet searches of your name may continue to bring up reports of the allegation long after you have been cleared, and some relationships may have been destroyed beyond repair by the time all is said and done. However, clearing your name is still essential.

Being wrongfully accused of a sexual crime is bad enough; being wrongfully convicted is worse. To protect yourself and work to minimize the negative impact of false allegations, it would be wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible.