what type of lawyer works on sueing for false sexual abuse allegations

by Mrs. Alayna Greenfelder 9 min read

First, you should know that if a criminal charge against you has NOT yet been resolved in the legal arena, you may not want to file a civil lawsuit over false allegations of that crime. Rest assured, though, that an experienced defense attorney like Neal Davis can represent you in fighting your CRIMINAL charge.

A criminal defense attorney reviews each legal case that comes their way. This lawyer works with their client to understand the false allegations.Nov 10, 2021

Full Answer

Should I hire a lawyer for false allegations of child abuse?

Apr 07, 2020 · Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney for False Sexual Assault Allegations Attorneys specialize in certain case types. Therefore, you don’t want to hire a lawyer who’s good at representing speeding tickets or custody cases, even if it’s a friend of a friend. Asking your lawyer what kind of cases like yours they have handled is ok (and even encouraged).

Can I get a lawsuit for false allegations of a crime?

False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse. Seattle Child Sexual Abuse Defense Lawyer Washington False Accusations of Child Abuse Attorney False Accusations of Sexual Abuse Involving a Minor. It is easy to accuse someone of child molestation or rape, and once the accusation is made the damage is done. We see false accusations in these cases against our clients on a regular …

What are the causes of false allegations of sexual abuse?

Aug 01, 2021 · One of the key roles a lawyer or union representative plays is to provide advice and guidance about the process, particularly when the allegation is false or it is thought the conduct of workplace investigation is unfair.

What to do if you’re falsely accused of sexual assault?

that work in this area of the criminal justice system usually enter into this type of work out of a strong desire to protect children. They view themselves - even if they will not admit it - as an advocate for children, not un-biased investigators. Therefore, when a child makes an allegation of sexual abuse, the investigators

Why do police investigate?

They investigate to confirm their belief that the accuser is telling the truth, instead of testing the truthfulness of the accusations. A brief police investigation and a brief interview of a child may be all that is collected before you are charged with life changing allegations.

What is an investigative interview?

Brief and suggestive interviews of children that do not test the allegations. Investigative interviews are typically not conducted at all until the defense attorney gets their chance, and the attorney better know what they are doing if this is to uncover the problems with the charges.

Can you accuse someone of child molestation?

It is easy to accuse someone of child molestation or rape, and once the accusation is made the damage is done. We see false accusations in these cases against our clients on a regular basis, and we understand the dynamics that often lead to these accusations being made.

What is the only witness allowed to give an opinion in a criminal trial?

In a criminal trial typically the only witness allowed to give an opinion is one who thecourt finds to be an expert. Typically all other witnesses may only testify to facts: what they saw,heard, or did. An expert however may testify to what he believes a particular fact means, forexample, whether in his opinion a particular injury is consistent with sexual abuse.

What is forensic interview?

"forensic interview" is simply an interview performed by a person, usually a socialworker, who is supposed to be trained in how to interview children in a manner that will makesure the interview provides reliable information. As the person interviewing a young child caneasily influence what the child says forensic interviewers are supposed to be trained in how not toask leading questions and how not to influence the child's answer. The problem is that due totheir bias in favor of children and against anyone even simply accused of sexual abuse manyso-called forensic interviewers nevertheless conduct very leading interviews of the child. The"forensic interview" is typically videotaped. Most jurisdictions will allow the attorney for theaccused to view the videotape of the interview. Some jurisdictions will also provide a copy of thetape. Other jurisdictions will not allow the attorney to have a copy and the attorney must go to theprosecutor's office, or detectives office, or socialservices to view the tape.

What is a civil lawsuit for defamation of character?

Your lawsuit must show that this person knew or should have known that their statements were false, but made them anyway in order to deliberately harm you. A civil lawsuit for defamation of character via false allegations of a crime can come in two forms: slander and libel.

What is a defamation of character lawsuit?

A defamation of character lawsuit over libel or slander also seeks to compensate the plaintiff for damages regarding humiliation, embarrassment, and mental anguish after being falsely accused of a crime. Though these aren't actual monetary losses, their value as damages can be calculated by an experienced attorney.

Can you be charged with a crime you didn't commit?

Independently of a civil lawsuit for false accusations of a crime, a criminal charge may also be made against someone who deliberately accused you of a crime they knew you didn't commit with the intent of spurring wrongful prosecution and harm to your reputation.

What is the difference between slander and libel?

The difference is that slander involves oral or spoken statements made to a third party (someone other than yourself), while libel involves written, visual or Internet-based depictions which were published or publicly posted for others to read. For slander, Texas law and federal law both provide civil penalties.

Can an expert witness be sued?

However, incompetent or negligent testimony by an expert witness can be grounds for a civil lawsuit in some cases. Again, you must receive a court ruling in your favor on the criminal charge before you can file a civil lawsuit against those whose responsible for malicious prosecution.

What is unlawful restraint in Texas?

Only a prosecutor can bring criminal charges. The definition of this crime is as follows: (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly restrains another person .

What is a class A misdemeanor?

1. The person restrained was a child younger than 14 years of age; 2. The actor was a relative of the child; and. 3. The actor's sole intent was to assume lawful control of the child. (c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is: 4.

Why is a restraining order important?

Because there is such a low standard of proof in a domestic abuse hearing, agreeing to a restraining order is often considered an attractive option since it at least allows the defendant to continue fighting for custody. An order of protection also adds a number of financial hurdles for the accused to clear.

How long does it take to get a false allegations dismissed?

If faced with false allegations of abuse, it is extremely important to act quickly and decisively. The steps you take in the couple of weeks leading up to your hearing will go a long way towards getting the charges dismissed.

Why are orders of protection used in divorce cases?

Orders of protection are often referred to as the “nuclear weapon of divorce” because of the devastating effect they can have on a case, even if the allegations are later proven false. Once one is entered against the father, it forces him out of the home, giving the mother a major advantage when fighting for custody.

Who is Shawn Garrison?

Shawn Garrison is an Online Editor for Lexicon, focusing on subjects related to the legal services of customers, Cordell & Cordell and Cordell & Cordell UK. He has written countless pieces dealing with the unique child custody and divorce issues that men and fathers face.

Is domestic violence a serious issue?

To be sure, domestic violence is a serious issue. Over the past several years, awareness regarding domestic violence has skyrocketed and there are now more resources to help victims than ever. While those are positive developments, there are still some major misconceptions concerning the topic.

What to do if you are innocent?

If you are innocent, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It is important to contact friends and family members early in the process. Tell them what happened. People tend to form opinions quickly and take sides. Do not give a statement to the police without a lawyer present.

What happens if you don't go to prison?

Even if you spend no time in prison, you will most likely be put on a sex offender registry, where you will remain for years or even for life. The conditions of your parole will limit where you can live, affect your job and educational prospects, and your family life. Your movements will be limited.

Can a court order the removal of a child?

The court may order the removal of your children or prohibit you from having contact with them. You and your lawyer have no power to stop this. However, you can protest their placement especially if the custodial adult assumes you are guilty. This is important . Someone who assumes your guilt may persuade your children of the same.

Is the media unpredictable?

The media are unpredictable. You are just as likely to get bad coverage as good. Sometimes it is best — for you, your family, and your case — to avoid publicity, and instead to negotiate behind the scenes. But there are times when publicity can save you.

Can a guilty verdict send you to prison?

Don’t panic. Just before trial, it hits home for many people that a guilty verdict could send them to prison for many years. If offered a plea bargain, they accept it.

Can police lie to you during interrogation?

It is also legal for police to lie to you during interrogations, saying things like, “We have proof that you are guilty, so you might as well confess and we’ll go easy on you.”. Gather support. Organize a defense fund or, even better, find someone to do that for you.

What is false allegations?

There is no consensus in the literature on what is meant by “false allegations”, a term used to describe a range of phenomena involving children. According to Poole and Lamb (1998), the term should be reserved exclusively for cases where children explicitly make an allegation that is untrue, that is, where they claim to have been sexually abused even though this never occurred. However, the term often encompasses situations where parents or neighbours harbour suspicions that turn out to be unsubstantiated upon investigation or that are based on a misinterpretation of a child’s comments or behaviour, whether sexual abuse has been alleged by the child or not. Obviously, prevalence of the phenomenon varies according to the definition used.

Is sexual abuse untrue?

Although research to date suggests that false allegations are rarely made intentionally and are more often made by adolescents and adults than by children, it is important to always consider that sexual abuse allegations may be untrue. It is also important to bear in mind that children who have been sexually abused are not always prepared to disclose the abuse.

What are the factors that can lead to false allegations of sexual abuse?

Many factors can lead to false allegations of sexual abuse. Some of these factors are related to the child’s personal characteristics , such as memory and age; others to the child’s environment, such as divorce, the influence of rumour and the fact that the parent does not believe the child; and still others to the socio-legal context, ...

Do children have to disclose abuse?

It is also important to bear in mind that children who have been sexually abused are not always prepared to disclose the abuse. In addition, in the absence of a reliable method of lie detection, professionals must adopt rigorous practices and apply proven expertise.

What to do if you are accused of child abuse?

However, any time that you're accused of child abuse, you should consult with an attorney experienced in handling similar cases. Particularly if an investigation does not clear your name, you'll want to work with a family law attorney who can help you gather additional evidence, build a case for appeal, and advocate on your behalf—so ...

Who is Jennifer Wolf?

Jennifer Wolf is a PCI Certified Parent Coach and a strong advocate for single moms and dads. Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. Unfortunately, accusations like child abuse happen quite often.

Can judges take children away from their parents?

While judges do not want ​to take children away from their parents, they err on the side of caution when it comes to any type of domestic abuse and child custody. The proper course of action will depend on the nature of the allegations and a number of other factors.

What is a defamation of character?

Legal Definition of Defamation of Character. An individual who intentionally makes false accusations against another with the express purpose of damaging the person's reputation can be subject to a variety of punitive measures as permitted by law.

What is slander in civil law?

Slander, the oral communication of false statements with the purpose of harming an individual or organization's reputation, is grounds for civil action as mandated by state and federal law. For example, sharing a story accusing a charity leader of theft damages both the individual and the organization, perhaps irrevocably. To prove slander, it must be shown through clear and convincing evidence that the individual who is being accused of slander knew the statements that he was making were untrue at the time that he made them and were made with the express purpose of harming the victim's standing in the community or workplace.

What is libel in law?

Libel is another form of defamation that is subject to civil liability. Libel consists of statements made in print or through visual or Internet-based depictions that present false representations as they relate to an individual or organization's ethics or character. To prove allegations of libel, proof of the false and printed allegations ...

What happens if you file a false police report?

If you accuse someone of a crime you know they did not commit, such as cutting car tires, and the police can prove you knew the case was false, you could be charged with filing a false police report. When criminal charges are proven, a civil lawsuit can easily follow.#N#Read More: What Legal Action Can I Take Against Someone Making False Police Reports?

What is civil suit?

Civil suits allow you to address a variety of false accusations through the court system. False accusations may rise to the level of defamation, which includes libel and slander, and which may include filing a false police report in the right circumstances. References. TheFreeDictionary.com: Defamation. US Legal: Slander Law and Legal Definition.

What is the purpose of defamation?

Defamation consists of any intentional communication, either in verbal or written form, which is made with the intention to damage a person's reputation ; decrease the regard, respect or confidence in which a person is held or to induce negative, disparaging or hostile opinions against a person or organization.

How to prove slander?

To prove slander, it must be shown through clear and convincing evidence that the individual who is being accused of slander knew the statements that he was making were untrue at the time that he made them and were made with the express purpose of harming the victim's standing in the community or workplace.