In many cases, much of the damage is already done when you have been accused of child sex abuse. It is a very difficult allegation to recover from in terms of your standing and reputation, even if the allegation is false – unless you handle things correctly. Fortunately, it is possible to take strong action to both protect your freedom and your good name. Everything must start with hiring a sex crimes attorney to fight for you.
As someone accused of sexual misconduct, it is critical to be aware of the gravity of what you are facing. Even when the allegations are false, they can damage your name, career, and relationships. The stigma alone that is associated with child sexual abuse can harm anyone whose name is mentioned in connection with it. The key to restoring your reputation when you are falsely accused of sexual assault is avoiding criminal charges and managing the public discussion regarding your case.
Wrongfully accused of Child Molestation? Don’t Panic, Call a Lawyer
Many people understandably panic when there is a child making false allegations. After all, there is hardly a playbook for how to deal with the effects on your family and career. In addition, you could be facing a long and expensive legal process. We could tell you to take a deep breath, but we understand that relaxing is impossible when you are faced with this situation.
The first phone call you should make when learning about the false child sex abuse allegations is to a lawyer. They will give you the best advice on how to handle the situation. Remember that there is nothing that you can do on your own at this point to make the problem go away. In fact, anything that you do when there is a child making false allegations could make the situation worse.
Don’t Make These Mistakes when you have false child molestation allegations
To protect your own reputation, you must not make any voluntary errors. Many people think that the truth will ultimately win the day, and they just have to give their side of the story. However, they do not understand how law enforcement often operates. Prosecutors are looking to see whether they have enough evidence to file charges. Anything that you say in an interview could be used against you in the future. With that in mind:
- Never speak to a detective without your attorney’s knowledge, help, and physical presence
- Never turn over any evidence to detectives without an attorney’s presence and/or advice. You might think that it could persuade them of your innocence but it could end up doing more damage than good.
How you react personally also could determine whether you are able to safeguard your reputation from child sex abuse allegations. It is very easy for someone not going through what you are to tell you to remain calm and keep your emotions under control. We recognize that it is not our freedom at stake. Nonetheless, we cannot stress enough how important it is for you to act intentionally and only according to a strategy carefully crafted by you and your lawyer.
In the short term this means:
- Stay away from the accuser at all costs. Do not try to contact them or their parents to explain themselves. It will not help and will only hurt you.
- Do not speak publicly about the allegations. Until your name is cleared and you are not charged, the public will not receive your message well. Make sure to avoid speaking about the allegations to anyone.
- Do your best to stay strong. This may be the toughest battle of your life, and you never chose this for yourself. Even if you are forced into the fight, know that it is a fight.
Go on the Offense if Necessary
Defending yourself against false child sex abuse allegations sometimes means that you have to go on the offense. However, it is advisable only to do so while working closely with your lawyer. It may make sense to give your side of the story to the prosecutor to clear up any misunderstandings. The decision of whether to speak to law enforcement is part of your legal process.
We cannot assure you with certainty that taking the right actions will make everything go away. You may still be facing a fight on your hands to clear your name. However, being passive will usually make things worse.
Child sexual abuse allegations will have to be fully investigated. Authorities have a legal and moral obligation to look into all accusations, and they will need to take their time to perform a full investigation. You will need to let the investigation run its course. In some respects, you are better off when law enforcement leaves no stone unturned because that makes it far more believable for others when they decide not to press charges, or you are acquitted.
Line Up People Who May Testify on Your Behalf
In the meantime, you should be marshaling witnesses who could testify on your behalf. Character witnesses could help establish the type of person that you are and that you would not commit the crime of which you are accused. While that alone would not exonerate you, it could help reestablish your reputation if you are tried and acquitted.
Once you learn that you will not be charged, you may want to contact an attorney to determine whether you can make a claim for defamation of character, slander, or malicious prosecution. The parent of the minor child or anyone who helped them advance false allegations could be legally responsible if they knew that the child sex abuse charges were false. You could even consider a lawsuit against a media outlet that reported false allegations. It is rare to win this type of lawsuit, but it is something you could consider.
Experienced Los Angeles Sex Crimes Lawyers
The attorneys at the LibertyBell Law Group will fight for you when you are facing false child sexual abuse allegations. We understand the significant impact that false allegations can have on every aspect of your life. Call today at (530) 309-1156 or send a message online to schedule a free initial consultation.
Gina Tennen
Founder
At A Glance
- Expert legal strategist.
- Experienced in both prosecution and defense.
- Relentless fighter for her clients with results to prove it.
- Received the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers Award
- Featured in Time Magazine’s “Leaders of Criminal Defense” in the 100 Most Influential People edition.
Executive Managing Attorney Gina Tennen is a renowned leading advocate of personal liberties. Her meticulous trial preparation and exceptional ability to pursue every possible defense has earned her the admiration of clients and respect from prosecutors, judges, and other criminal attorneys all over the nation.
Lawyer Tennen began her career as a Senior Law Clerk for one of the toughest District Attorney’s offices in the country where she gained remarkable experience in juvenile crimes, elder abuse, parole hearings, child abuse, sex and other serious crimes. Her experience at the District Attorney’s Office armed her knowledge and case strategy in exploiting the other side’s weaknesses for the client’s advantage and building a rock solid defense. Criminal attorney Tennen’s experience on both sides and brilliant maneuvering throughout is evidenced in her winning track record. In fact, even before earning her law degree, she was instrumental in getting excellent results on several criminal cases outshining her peers.
A consummate strategist and top criminal attorney, lawyer Tennen works tirelessly on many high profile criminal cases. She is known as a relentless fighter who never gives up on any case. Whether the case is hers or handled by another criminal defense attorney from LibertyBell Law Group, no matter how small the case may seem she asserts that every client deserves the right to the best legal representation.
It is her deep belief and what she has built her entire career and lifelong dedication to that there is always hope for every client and every avenue should be pursued regardless of the time and energy it takes. For criminal attorney, Gina Tennen, devoting the finest criminal defense for clients is a habit and talent that you must apply and do all the time.
You demand the best defense. Take hold of your life and speak to our defense attorneys by calling (530)-309-1156 now.
Founder Gina Tennen and all the sex offender attorneys at LibertyBell Law Group uphold that when the bell rings, it rings for life and liberty for all.
