Facing any false accusations of a crime can be devastating, but allegations of child abuse can be especially egregious given their sensitive nature. As such, if falsely accused, understanding what to do and how to respond is critical to protecting yourself. However, the most important thing you should do is connect with an Oklahoma City felony defense lawyer upon learning of the allegations. Additionally, the following blog explores these circumstances further and what potential defenses may apply to your situation.

Why Do False Allegations of Child Abuse Happen?

Though we like to think that any reports made about child abuse occur in good faith, meaning they are raised out of pure concern for the child, this isn’t always the case. In some instances, others will use this to their advantage and report an innocent person to upend their life.

Unfortunately, many false allegations of child abuse arise from divorce. Spouses who want full custody may coach the child into making untrue claims.

What Are the Potential Defenses I Can Use to Protect Myself?

When falsely accused, understanding how you can help shield yourself is vital. The most important thing to do in these circumstances is connect with an experienced attorney who can examine the specific circumstances of your case to determine the best defense for your needs. However, the following may apply to your situation:

  • Question the credibility: When accusations occur, it’s often a “he said, she said” situation. As such, you’ll need to call the credibility of the allegations into question. This includes gathering evidence to help dispel the claims against you, such as showing threats from your ex-spouse in relation to giving them full custody.
  • Utilize an alibi: For example, if your child claims you abused them on a specific date, you may have evidence showing you were not in town at the time the alleged abuse occurred. This can help call into question whether or not these allegations are founded.
  • Highlight your credibility: While poking holes in the credibility of the statements against you may seem challenging, boosting your reputation can help support the idea that you would not commit heinous acts like child abuse. This can include witness statements and consistency within your statements.

How Should I Respond if Accused?

If falsely accused of child abuse, understanding how to respond is critical. In general, it’s in your best interest to stay as calm as possible and refrain from interacting with the accuser or their family if possible. Though you may feel betrayed and angered by these accusations, any contact with those involved in the case can hurt your defense.

Again, the most important thing to do is to connect with an experienced lawyer who can represent your case and help you navigate the criminal justice system. They can help ensure you are treated fairly and will not let the police or prosecutor take advantage of you.

At the Jones Firm, PLLC, our dedicated legal team will do everything in our power to help you through these challenging times. We will explore all potential avenues to determine the best way to proceed with your case. Connect with our team today to learn how we can assist you.