The law can be a tricky thing to deal with because of how much we do not know about it as individuals, but one of the toughest things that can afflict a person is a wrongful conviction. While it may come as an obvious statement that wrongful accusation is bad, there is more to it than just the nasty defamation of your name.
Guilty until proven innocent may appear as a catch-all principle that protects us from situations of injustice, but a wrongful accusation presents many issues that are beyond a legal problem. So, why is it such a big concern to be wrongfully accused of a crime, in Texas or otherwise?
Check out the information you need to know.
Where to Get Help When Wrongfully Accused
It is best to start this with the steps you need to take. Wrongful accusations are more common than many people think, so it is important that you know where you stand in the event that it happens to you. Even if you feel like you are safe from any wrongdoing, it could happen because of something as simple as mistaken identity. In this case, you would like to have legal representation that deals with criminal cases. As the experts at https://herbertlux.com/criminal-defense/ states, experience criminal defense is imperative for serious cases such as sex crimes, violence, and theft. These are all very common instances of mistaken identity, or a wrongful accusation because of many reasons. Regardless, getting legal representation fast is the best course of action.
What Not to Do?
The first steps in a wrongful accusation case involve seeking out legal representation or aid immediately, the next steps are more or less how you deal with the situation. It is stressful and could potentially lead to major problems in your social, familial and work life, but you need to keep a calm head and not overreact. The best course of action is to not incriminate yourself and do not talk about the crime you are accused of with others. Any action you do is under a microscope, especially something as serious as a crime of a sexual nature, or one against a child. Even seemingly innocent things can be perceived by others as an unspoken admission of guilt. Talking about your accusation with even your closest friends will most likely end up as a game of telephone, where miscommunication of your thoughts or words become skewed and your side of the story ends up changing invariably. Keep quiet, and do not draw any suspicion to yourself, as hard as it may be in this case.
What Happens During the Events of a Wrongful Accusation?
A lot. Simply put, a court decision on your guilt or innocence is not the end or beginning of the change a wrongful accusation may bring to your life. Word spreads fast about people, and the minute you are chalked up as a felon or offender, you are going to be dealing with questions and unfortunately, harmful consequences. Some people lose jobs, relationships, and even suffer from violence or harassment. Even though a wrongful accusation is not an indicator that you are guilty, and by definition alone you know you are being accused of something that you have not done, the results can be very damaging. The court of the public sometimes decides the outcome of who or what you will be perceived as. As unfortunate as this is, keeping a level head in this situation (as suggested in the previous point) can help you maintain your dignity until you’re exonerated through a court proceeding.
Outcomes to a False Accusation
It is hopeful that it does not come to this, but it is worth your time to know that a wrongful accusation can, in some cases, result in jail time or a criminal charge. This is clearly the worst-case scenario, but it is better to know than to be blindsided by a surprise of the court ruling that any evidence is sufficient for a conviction. This is unlikely, as there needs to be concrete evidence that is beyond a reasonable doubt, but it does happen. When this happens, it is understandable why the first thing you should do is acquire a lawyer and legal representation.
Wrongful accusations are unfortunately all too common. People throw around accusations a lot, and many people do not take them seriously. So what happens when someone makes a real claim? Well, now you are prepared with this information on why it is important to get a lawyer, avoid discussing your situation and keep calm.
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