What Should You Do if Your Student Accuses You of Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault allegations can be devastating, regardless of their ultimate outcome. How you react and respond could make a major difference in how your case goes. The biggest thing is to resist the urge to act impulsively on your own in your defense.

We understand the strain and risks you are facing when you are accused of sexual assault. As a teacher or professor, your career is on the line, as well as your freedom. There is a natural inclination to want to do everything that you can to fight. However, some things that you could do could make the situation worse.

Contact an Attorney Immediately

Your first call should be to an experienced sex crimes attorney to handle your possible legal defense. While the common perception is that people who hire lawyers are guilty, you should not worry about that in the least. Your main concern should be about your freedom and reputation, and sexual assault charges could wreck your life. An attorney could take charge of your defense, helping you plot a legal strategy to deal with the charges.

You may be contacted by law enforcement seeking to sit down with you to ask you questions. Never agree to this on your own. You are under no obligation whatsoever to speak to the police. This may be in your best interest at some point, but that decision should be made with your attorney, and the conversation should only happen with your lawyer present. In some cases, telling your side of the story to law enforcement could clear up misunderstandings or reveal the allegations to be false. However, this is a very high-stakes conversation that your lawyer should direct and coordinate.

Be Careful Before Speaking to Anyone About the Allegations

While you may strongly want to tell your own side of the story, you should not speak publicly while the allegations are pending. There is little good that can come of it. Your lawyer should coordinate and be responsible for all of your communications. The same goes for trying to contact your accuser. That may only make things worse, as you should stay far away from the accuser. You could even get in trouble for an attempt at intimidation, even if it was not your intention.

Sexual assault allegations may mean that your situation gets worse in the short term before it gets better. Buckle down and brace for a difficult process before your case is resolved. Make sure to save what you can because defending these allegations takes time and money. The first step you take towards protecting yourself comes when you hire an attorney.

Experienced Sex Crimes Attorneys

 If you have been accused of sexual assault, you should not try to go it alone. Call an experienced attorney at the Cohen Law Offices at (715) 514-5051 to discuss your case. We have what it takes to protect your rights.