How to Protect Yourself after Allegations of Child Molestation

An allegation of child molestation can literally ruin your life. Even if you are able to clear your name eventually, there will be trauma and anxiety in the meantime. Of course, your major concern is protecting yourself from the criminal penalties. What you do and say after you are accused can make the difference between being falsely accused and falsely convicted. Here are some steps to take for self-protection.

Hire an Attorney

The very first thing that you should do after allegations of criminal misconduct is hire a lawyer. Your attorney will give you advice on how to handle the situation and will keep law enforcement from violating your legal rights. The attorney can speak on your behalf and will conduct their own immediate investigation of your case. They will also keep law enforcement from coercing you into making statements or handing over any evidence that could incriminate you. The longer you go about this alone, the higher your legal risk.

Keep Quiet

The last thing that you should do is say anything publicly or give any statement to the police. This includes avoiding the urge to go on social media to explain yourself to your friends and family. Anything you say online could be used against you. Some people may also believe that talking to law enforcement could make the problem go away. Once an accusation has been made, it is much more complicated than that. Hiring an attorney will help keep law enforcement from being able to speak with you alone.

Stay Away from the Accuser

Just like police, people think that they can fix the problem by speaking with the accuser or their family. Once the accusation has been made, there would be little that you could do to convince the accuser that they are wrong. What is worse is that they could be recording you to use whatever you say against you. Speaking with or being near the accuser only opens you up to more potential problems, and there is much more risk than possible reward.

Gather Evidence that Can Exonerate You

You may have an alibi that could show that you could not have committed the crime of which you are being accused. You may have cell phone information or other photos that could show where you were at the time you were accused of molestation. Alternatively, you could have emails or messages with the accuser that would detail the true nature of your relationship. Make an exhaustive inventory of any possible exculpatory evidence and turn it all over to your lawyer. This should also include a list of possible witnesses who could back up your side of the story.

Contact a Sex Crimes Lawyer Today

Call the Cohen Law Offices at (715) 514-5051 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. Do not let any feelings of shame or fear of judgment get in the way of getting the legal help that you need. Facing sex abuse allegations is not something that you should attempt to do on your own.