Being accused of a crime is a big deal. It does not get any better if the accusation has to do with domestic violence. Unfortunately, thousands of false domestic violence claims are reported throughout the U.S every year.
Domestic violence is a heinous act. And falsely accusing someone of this crime is equally heinous and abusive. Domestic violence accusations can potentially impact your reputation, work, and most importantly, your relationship with your accuser and children. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, it is important that you take the following important steps to defend yourself and safeguard your rights.
Start putting your evidence together
Legal matters are won or lost on account of evidence. Thus, the best way to prove a false domestic violence claim against you is to begin putting your evidence together as soon as you learn what you are being accused of. Some of the evidence you can gather for your domestic violence defense include:
- Witness statements
- Electronic records like surveillance camera footage
- GPS data that prove where you were when the alleged offense is said to have occurred
Reach out to family and friends
Even if you did not do it, accusations of domestic violence can greatly ruin your self-image. The last thing you want is to allow the stigma that comes with this accusation to ruin your self-esteem. This is why you need to reach out to close family and friends with the goal of keeping them updated on your situation. However, do not use these moments to speak ill of your accuser or use your family or friends to reach out to your accuser concerning the matter.
Keep all your personal belongings
If your accuser is acting out of malice, it is likely they will attempt to use resources within their reach to strengthen their claim. It is important that you keep your privacy and restrict your accuser’s access to your personal belongings. And this includes changing your email, credit card, social media passwords as well.
Domestic violence is a serious offense with severe consequences. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, it is important that you understand the steps you need to take to prove your innocence.