Defense Lawyer for Victims of False Charges
Often, people who are accused of crimes have done something that could be looked upon as some form of illegal activity. However, when you've been charged with a crime based on an outright lie, you probably feel betrayed and angry.
It is important to understand that, in many ways, a false allegation must be treated as seriously as any other criminal accusation. You need an advocate who will focus on the facts and on defending your rights.
I'm attorney Jim Pokorny, and I've been practicing criminal defense law in California for more than 30 years. I've seen many people dragged into court based on false allegations, and I know how painful it can be. I can help. For a free phone consultation, contact me at my offices in San Diego.
Protecting Your Presumption of Innocence
False allegations are particularly common in cases involving close personal relationships, such as sex crimes and domestic violence. Unfortunately, personal conflicts can easily get out of hand, and if the person making the false accusation obviously lacks credibility, law enforcement tends to make an arrest in such cases. While you can be charged with a crime based on a false allegation, you remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. I will do everything in my power to protect that presumption of innocence and tell your side of the story.
Often, when allegations have been made falsely, the prosecutor's case will eventually fall apart due to changed stories or contradictory evidence. However, you cannot rely on this and still need an experienced attorney to prepare a complete defense to the charges.
Avoiding the Temptation to Contact the Accuser
If you've been falsely accused of a crime, you may be tempted to contact the accuser. You may feel that, if you reason with the person, you can avoid the stress of the criminal justice process. I cannot advise you strongly enough not to take this dangerous step.
A defendant contacting the accuser in a criminal case can be interpreted as witness tampering, a felony crime also called obstruction of justice. The accuser changing his or her false allegations will not end the case against you, and the original allegations will remain in evidence.
I would be happy to discuss this issue with you further in order to explain your best options for dealing with false allegations. Don't hesitate to contact me to discuss this.
