According to The Coalition to End Domestic Violence, approximately 10 percent of people in the United States report having had false accusations of domestic violence made against them. People who falsely accuse partners or family members of domestic violence may have various motivations for doing so, but these false accusations can have devastating consequences for the accused individual. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your rights, reputation, and future from false allegations of domestic violence.
Why Do People Lie About Domestic Violence?
People may lie about experiencing domestic violence during challenging times in a relationship, such as during a breakup or divorce, after revelations of infidelity or dishonesty, or during child custody proceedings. Common reasons why people make false allegations of domestic abuse include:
- To retaliate against a partner or family member and ruin their reputation
- To gain leverage in legal proceedings, such as divorce or child custody cases
- Jealousy
- To gain attention or sympathy
- Emotional instability or mental health issues
- Misunderstandings of what conduct constitutes domestic violence
Potential Consequences of False Accusations of Domestic Violence
When a person falsely accuses a partner or family member of domestic violence to hurt or punish them, they often do so knowing these allegations can have significant, long-lasting consequences, including:
- A damaged reputation
- Social stigmatization
- Damaged relationships with friends or family
- Embarrassment over an arrest or court appearance
- An arrest record that can show up in background searches for employment, housing, or financial services
- Spending time in jail if detained pending trial or dismissal of the charges
- Loss of child custody
- Loss of employment due to pre-trial detention in jail or a damaged reputation
When a case has sufficient evidence to support false accusations, you may face the possibility of a conviction. Even if you can get domestic violence charges dismissed or secure an acquittal at trial, people may continue to believe your accuser and think of you as an abuser.
How to Combat Fake Accusations of Domestic Violence
If you’ve been falsely accused of domestic violence, there are steps you can take to protect your rights and reputation. Tips for combating false allegations of domestic violence include:
- Avoid the Accuser – Stay away from the alleged victim while the domestic violence allegations remain pending. Confronting your accuser or trying to convince them to recant their allegations will only make you look worse and may even constitute a separate criminal offense.
- Gather Evidence – Begin gathering evidence that can support your defense strategy. Evidence you might use to fight domestic violence charges includes emails, text messages, or voicemails that support your story, surveillance footage of the alleged incident(s), medical records, or witness testimony.
- Stay Off Social Media – Avoid going on social media, as you might post things that contradict or jeopardize your defense. Prosecutors may scour your accounts looking for evidence to support their case. It’s best to avoid inadvertently implicating yourself.
Finally, contact a criminal defense attorney right away to discuss your legal options and begin protecting your reputation and future. Turn to the Joel M. Mann – Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer today for a confidential initial consultation to learn what steps you can take to fight back against false allegations of domestic violence.
