False Allegations of Acquaintance Rape or Date Rape
Seattle Sexual Abuse Defense Attorneys
False Accusations of Date Rape
Allegations of sexual misconduct by people who are dating a person has to admit to actions or accuse someone of rape. Often they happen when a person drinks too much to remember giving consent, and so assumes they would not have done that and that they were raped. False allegations and false accusations of acquaintance rape or date rape are humiliating and devastating. Suddenly, a private incident is placed on public display. Family and friends learn details about the intimate parts of your life that you would never otherwise share with them.
We've worked with many clients accused of serious sexual misconduct after a night of alcohol and/or poor communication. Crossed wires, boundaries being pushed too far, or boyfriends or parents walking in at inopportune times can all lead to these allegations. Being accused of date rape or acquaintance rape can have profound consequences for you. Rape: once the word is spoken, you can't take it back.
At The Meryhew Law Group, we've successfully represented many people who find themselves accused after a date where too much was drunk and not enough was said. We understand how these allegations are made, and we know how to defend you against them.
What are the common reasons you've seen that people falsely accuse an adult of date rape or acquaintance rape?
Common reasons are:
- Getting caught cheating on a spouse/partner
- Getting caught cheating with the spouse/partner of a friend
- Remorse/regret after a night of drinking
- Mental health disorder of the accuser: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc.
- The accuser's use of psychiatric drugs, often combined with alcohol and/or recreational drugs, clouds perceptions
- The accuser wants to "get even" for some perceived slight
What about the police? Why can't their investigation clear me?
Very often in date rape or acquaintance rape situations, the issue of whether sexual contact occurred is not in dispute. Rather, the issue is whether the accuser consented to the sexual contact. Police officers often take the word of the accuser at face value and don't conduct any investigation to test the truth of the accuser's statement. Police can and are swayed by the emotional response to these kinds of allegations. If you speak with a biased officer, you give the officer license to write down whatever they want to say you said. Time and time again, clients read reports and say that is not exactly what I said – the answer is call and speak to us BEFORE you speak to the police.
What about the fact that we've had consensual sex before? Or that she had sex with other people the same night?
Washington has a Rape Shield law that limits the ability of the defense to question an accuser about past sexual history during a trial. Presenting your case to the Court requires experience with these complicated rules of evidence to ensure your story is told to the jury. Generally, questions about the sexual conduct of the accuser are prohibited because they are not considered relevant to the case. However, where you have had a relationship with the accuser in the past such evidence MAY be admitted by a judge after a pretrial hearing to show proof of consent by the accuser.
How will you defend me against a false accusation of date rape or acquaintance rape?
Defeating a false allegation of date rape or acquaintance rape requires a thorough, detailed investigation directed by aggressive attorneys who aren't afraid to ruffle feathers. Our team of defense attorneys will work to track down necessary records and witnesses. We will leave no stone unturned in vigorously attacking the credibility of the person making these false allegations. We work closely with experienced and licensed private investigators that know how to locate reluctant witnesses and obtain information others would like to hide.
What can I expect from your representation?
Navigating the legal system when you've been falsely accused is frightening. You don't know what the inside of a courtroom looks like, you don't know what the judge is going to say to you when he or she takes the bench, and you don't know what to do to defend yourself.
When you have The Meryhew Law Group on your side, you can expect a team of defense lawyers who will answer your questions thoroughly and patiently, who are available on-call to you whenever you need us, lawyers who will make you feel confident and secure every time you walk into the courthouse.
Our team of lawyers works with top investigators and nationally-known experts to investigate these allegations thoroughly, obtain all records necessary to mount a strong defense, and who will walk into the courtroom extremely well-prepared. Should your case proceed to trial, our expert trial skills and years of trial experience will ensure that your case is heard and the state's case is attacked vigorously every step of the way.
Consult this firm before making a life changing decision, contact us with confidence.
