Facing allegations of domestic abuse or assault is frightening, especially if the person who reported you did so fraudulently in order to punish or control you. Below are some things you can do to help protect yourself after being charged and what a lawyer can do for you.
Don’t Talk to Police
First and foremost, never talk to the police after being arrested for any criminal offense. You have the right to avoid self-incrimination by remaining silent and you should absolutely invoke this right immediately upon being informed of your arrest. Even if you are only suspected of having committed domestic abuse, it still benefits you greatly to remain silent and refuse to answer questions without an attorney present.
Avoid Talking to Your Accuser
It is extremely risky and potentially even dangerous to attempt to communicate with someone who has accused you of domestic violence, especially if they have filed a report or if you have been arrested as a result of their allegations.
Do not answer their phone calls or emails, and consider avoiding associating with anyone that you know is a close friend or family member of your accuser in many cases, when someone is making a false report of domestic abuse, they will attempt to reach out to the alleged perpetrator in an effort to get as much evidence as possible to frame them.
Collect Evidence
The next step you should take is obtaining as much evidence as you can to support your innocence. You can also show proof that the person who accused you of domestic violence had a reason to lie or some kind of benefit they could gain from your being convicted. Keep these in a secure location no one else can access.
Don’t Get Arrested Again
If you get arrested again while in the middle of a domestic abuse case, this can be used against you. Don’t commit any crimes, even if they are not related to violence or assault. Even minor offenses like speeding or shoplifting can make entirely separate domestic violence charges harder to beat.
Reach Out to a New York Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
Don’t hesitate to take action after being accused of domestic violence. New York takes these charges seriously and so should you. Contact Scott Cerbin Criminal Defense today to learn more about how to protect your rights and what legal options are available to you. Call now at 718-596-1829.
