It is every man’s worst nightmare. You fall asleep after a night out, and wake up to find yourself being accused of rape. Your life will be turned upside down whether the charges are dropped or you are convicted for this serious crime. The process can take months or even years, and if found guilty your future is bleak as a prison sentence may follow. However, you have rights according to the law so it is important to remember these steps if you have been wrongfully accused of rape:
Do Not Talk To The Police Or Anyone Else Without An Attorney Present
The most important thing is not to speak with the police or anyone else without having spoken with an attorney first. This may seem like common sense, but when someone has been accused of rape, it is easy for him or her to want to try and explain their behavior or side of the story to authorities to prove that they are innocent. However, this can often lead to more damaging information being released than would happen if you just stayed quiet about everything until your lawyer arrives at the police station. You need representation by someone who is experienced in handling these types of cases. According to an experienced Wichita Sex Crime Attorney, having a strong legal advocate to protect your interests can be the difference between being convicted or acquitted in a rape case. Thus, make sure you get a hold of an attorney as quickly as possible.
Preserve All Evidence That Could Be Used To Prove Your Innocence
This includes everything from not throwing away or sharing any clothing that you might have worn at the time of the alleged rape to saving all of your electronic communications with the accuser. If a full investigation is conducted and it is discovered that no crime occurred, then having this type of evidence could be very helpful in helping you prove your innocence. If no crime ever occurred, you will need evidence of this to show the authorities so that your name can be cleared. The best thing to do is have a plan in place with your attorney so that if you are ever accused of rape, all of this evidence will be preserved and protected immediately.
Stay Calm And Cool Despite What Is Happening
It is very easy to become hysterical, angry, and filled with rage when you are falsely accused of rape. It can be incredibly difficult to remain composed especially if you are just learning about the false accusations for the first time. However, the best thing that you can do is stay calm and try your best not to act out in any way that could be construed as giving consent. If something like this happens again in the future, it will be easier for you to prove your innocence if you were able to show how collected and innocent you truly were during these types of situations. This makes it impossible for anyone (both on the police side and the legal side) to make claims against you.
Keep A Journal
Even though this is one of the most challenging times in someone’s life, it might be a good idea to try and document everything that is happening throughout this process. This could mean keeping track of all your conversations with different attorneys or writing down how you are feeling about what has happened. If you keep an objective point of view when doing this, it will likely make it easier for you to handle these types of cases in the future if they ever come up again. Jotting things down in a journal at least once per day may also help reduce stress levels significantly. Since rape accusations can often bring about feelings of unbearable anxiety, documenting each day with at least one sentence can go a long way when trying to stay sane during these cases.
Try Living Your Life As Normally As Possible
Even though it may seem impossible to go out and do things or interact with others during this time, the best thing that you can do is continue to live your life as normally as possible. This means going to work or school, eating meals at home with your family, interacting with them on social media, etc. The more you act as nothing has happened, the better it will be for you in showing that no crime ever occurred. Even if the accuser claims that there was a penetration of any kind, having solid alibis or evidence otherwise will make it easier for you to protect yourself against these types of allegations.
Going through an accusation of rape can be one of the most frightening and stressful things that you ever have to go through. While it is important to use the above steps if you are falsely accused, it is equally important not to panic or get too stressed out either. By simply remaining collected and calm throughout the entire process, it will be much easier for you to defend yourself against this type of allegation. Just make sure you have a good lawyer on your side so that you can get through this process without any major problems.