WHAT YOU
NEED TO DO IF
YOU ARE
ACCUSED OF
SEXUAL
OFFENCE
ABV Solicitors
It is fair to say that most people don't want to be
accused of a crime they did not commit, and nowhere
is this more obvious than in the area of sexual assault
accusations.
Even if you are accused of sexual assault but are
innocent, this accusation can still harm your social,
work and personal life. So, if you find yourself on the
receiving end of such an accusation, what should you
do?
Here is a quick guide drawn up by a sexual offence
solicitor on the steps you need to take if you find
yourself on the receiving end of this severe
accusation.
Seek legal advice
You will have the right to access the advice of a sexual
offence solicitor, even if you have already been
arrested. It is important to have legal representation if
you are facing criminal charges of this severity. The
sexual offence solicitor can advise you on your options
and help you understand the legal process.
Remember, even if you aren't guilty, you will still need
legal advice to ensure the best long-term outcome.
Gather evidence
If you have any evidence that supports your
innocence, it is important to provide this to
your sexual offence solicitor; this could
include witness statements, text messages,
or other documents. If the allegation was
alleged to have taken place in a public area,
your sexual offence solicitor could even seek
to gain access to any CCTV footage to help
build your defence.
Cooperate with the police
When you have a false allegation hanging
over you, it is easy to see the police as the
enemy. It is important to cooperate with the
police and answer their questions truthfully.
However, you should not make any
statements that could incriminate you or
admit to any wrongdoing; so if you are
invited to a police interview, you should aim
to have your sexual offence solicitor present.
Prepare for court
If you are charged with committing a sexual offence,
you will likely need to go to court. If the case goes to
court, your sexual offence solicitor will help you
prepa