Sex crime allegations are nothing to be taken lightly. When accusations are made, the government will take them seriously and will devote extensive resources into investigating the situation, substantiating claims, and, when they feel they have a case, prosecuting the accused. As such, anyone facing a criminal allegation involving a sex crime needs to also take accusations as seriously as possible. Even if the accusations are false and you feel you can explain the true nature of the situation, you are still at risk of suffering severe penalties in a system that may lose sight of your story in the fervor of pushing for charges and convictions.
At Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A., our criminal defense attorneys have represented numerous clients throughout Minneapolis and Minnesota who faced allegations for sex crimes that ranged from misdemeanor prostitution and indecent exposure charges to the most serious state or federal allegations of child pornography or criminal sexual conduct. While every case is different, they all pose serious and life-altering consequences, and demand the attention of experienced lawyers.
Amid rapidly evolving views on sex crimes, allegations, and how they are handled by the criminal justice system, conversations about false accusations may sometimes receive criticism. However, false accusations can and do happen. In fact, following dropped charges when allegations could not be corroborated, a University of Minnesota law professor recently filed a lawsuit for defamation after what he claims were false accusations tarnished his name and reputation.
Similar stories of false allegations happen throughout the country, and while vindication of some accused individuals may come before charges are filed, during a case, or after conviction, it may never come for others who have been falsely accused. Because sex crime allegations themselves can greatly harm your wellbeing, and because convictions can drastically alter your future, addressing these issues as thoroughly and immediately as possible should always be a top priority.
There are a few things that can become crucially important when being falsely accused of a sex crime:
- Right to remain silent – When false accusations are made, it becomes critically important to know and understand your legal rights. Most importantly, this includes your right to remain silent, and it should be exercised. Even if the allegations are false and you feel that you can explain things away, talking puts you at risk of saying things that could be misinterpreted or used to connect you with knowledge of a crime, even if you were not involved. Ultimately, talking to law enforcement will not help; you won’t be able to talk yourself out of an arrest. Instead, you should exercise your Fifth Amendment right and ask to speak with a lawyer.
- Presumption of innocence – Although societal opinions regarding sex crimes may make some quick to judgment, it bears reminding that our criminal justice system is founded on the presumption of innocence. This means you are innocent until proven guilty, and that it is the government’s responsibility to prove the allegations made against you. If they are unable to corroborate evidence when a false accusation is made, and you and your attorney are able to present a clear and convincing defense for what actually occurred, it makes the prosecution’s task of gaining a conviction exceedingly difficult and can be grounds for dropping an investigation or pending charges.
- Get Legal Help Immediately – Legal representation is important in any criminal case, but it becomes nearly essential to your future when sex crime allegations are involved. As sex crimes are among the most serious offenses, they pose severe penalties, including considerable terms of imprisonment. They also result in numerous life-altering consequences that limit your opportunities in life, require offender registration and monitoring, and tarnish your reputation. When there is a lot on the line, you cannot rely on allegations being false alone to resolve the situation. Having a proven advocate in your corner can ensure the correct steps are taken and that the accusations made against you are disproven. By taking immediate action to get the involvement of a lawyer, you may also be able to address false accusations early on and prevent criminal charges from being filed.
At Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A., our award-winning sex crime lawyers fight for the accused during all aspects of investigation and criminal cases. We also represent individuals facing Title IX hearings in connection to sexual misconduct allegations. Backed by decades of experience and top attorneys, we understand the seriousness of these cases, and dedicate our full efforts and insight into helping our clients navigate their legal journeys.
Our team is available 24/7 to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.