5 THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH A SEX CRIME
Being charged with a sex crime can feel like a nightmare come to life. In stressful situations like these, you may struggle with your emotions. You might even make a mistake that could worsen the situation. It may be difficult, but you'll need to think clearly and make smart choices for your future. Whether you have been falsely accused or misread a situation with a partner, you should refrain from doing the five following things if you're facing sex crime charges.
5 Things You Should NOT Do After Being Arrested and Charged With a Sex Crime
Confront Your Accuser: When your good name is being dragged through the mud, it's understandable you'd want to find out why. It may seem like a good idea to go straight to the source and clear up any confusion once and for all. Unfortunately, this can make your problem that much worse. Your words could end up being used against you, particularly if something you say can be construed as a threat. In some cases, it could actually cause charges to be added. As a rule, you should not even speak to your accuser. That includes contacting them through digital means, like email, text message, or social media. You might be inclined to clear the air or even apologize if they misunderstood the situation, but this will only stand to hurt you in the long run. Don't talk to your accuser (or to anyone in their circle), no matter what your intentions are.
Talk to Police Without a Lawyer: Law enforcement may try to convince you that they're on your side and they simply need you to clear up some loose ends about your case. Sadly, this is a widely used tactic that can convince criminals to open up -- and can cause innocent people to make statements that can be used against them. You might assume that only guilty people retain lawyers, but that's absolutely false. If you want to protect yourself and your future, you need to find an attorney and talk to law enforcement only if your lawyer is present. Otherwise, you're doing yourself a real disservice.
Represent Yourself: Speaking of doing yourself a disservice... You may believe that your innocence will protect you at a campus hearing or in a court of law. But unfortunately, your innocence may not be enough to fight the charges against you. Sex crimes can be extremely complex, which means you will require help from reputable legal services if you want to have the best shot at a favorable outcome. You cannot afford to leave your case up to chance and this is not the time to play out your courtroom fantasy. Stick to watching reruns of Law and Order and hire a professional to handle your case.
Post on Social Media: Many of us use social media to vent about frustrating situations in our lives or share developments with loved ones. But if you're charged with a sex crime, you should keep social media activities to a minimum. You should not share details about your case online, even if you believe your profiles are protected. It's actually best to not post anything on social media after being arrested, as you should give legal teams no ammunition to use against you in court. Remember that messages you believe to be private can potentially be obtained, so refrain from discussing anything about your case (or that could even be loosely related to it) via messaging apps, texting, video, and other media.
Assume the Charges Will Disappear: In 2015, sexual assaults were reported in Ohio at a rate of 86.9 per 100,000 population. Those odds are actually pretty slim, but it doesn't mean you could never be charged with a sex crime. If and when you are, you should not simply assume that these charges will be dismissed and that your life will resume as normal. You must take these charges very seriously and be proactive about your approach. Otherwise, your entire future could be at risk.
If you are facing sex crime charges, you must seek out legal representation right away. To learn more, please contact our firm today.