If you have been accused of child abuse, you are already facing an uphill battle. No matter how far-fetched the charges are, the stigma placed on child abuse offenders puts them in a bad light from the start. In order to ensure your innocence is defended fairly, there are a few key tips you must keep in mind. The steps you take leading up to and during the trial can make a world of difference in its outcome.

What Is Child Abuse?

There are many formal ad accepted definitions of child abuse, but the primary use of the term is any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. The common forms of child abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse. Child abuse is a very serious crime to be charged with and can lead to a lifetime of trouble for those accused. However, if you have been falsely accused, there are ways you can defend your innocence that can help retain your reputation and family life.

Why Might You Be Falsely Accused?

When children are hurt or injured in any way, and there is no immediate known cause of the injury, many people begin pointing fingers at the parents. Since child abuse is such a serious crime, people will quickly accuse the parents and shut them out of discussing the injury peacefully. In some cases, this stance by a third party is valid and can save a child from future abuse; however, there are also cases where the parents are falsely accused and put on trial without a fair and unbiased discussion beforehand. Another reason parents can be falsely accused of child abuse is when the child is acting out. In

an attempt to get back at their parents for something, a child might reach out to a third party and accuse their parents of child abuse. This is a very serious situation to find yourself in as it’s the child’s word against yours. In order to ensure your innocence is defended fairly, you must consult a good lawyer.

How To Defend Yourself

If you have been falsely accused of child abuse, the most important step you can take is to hire an attorney. No matter how far-fetched the accusations are, you are already fighting an uphill battle that requires assistance from an experienced attorney. If you attempt to fight the case on your own, you may make the wrong decisions and put yourself in a worse position then when it started. At The Law Offices of Dr. Jones, we focus not only on proving your innocence, but on defending your reputation as well. Through a depth of experience and knowledge of child abuse cases, we can help ensure a fair trial is performed and your dignity is saved. We know that good people can sometimes find themselves in bad situations, and a false accusation should not ruin your future well-being.

Another key to your defense is gathering evidence in your favor. If you are accused, tape record or have a credible witness present at every conversation with abuse investigators. Keep a detailed record of everything that happened from the moment the allegation is made to its resolution. These steps will help protect everyone involved and will provide accuracy during the investigation.

Child abuse is a very serious crime that can alter the life of both the victim and the accused. If you have accused of child abuse, there is much more at stake than the legal penalties you may face. Damage to your family life and reputation can be far worse of a punishment than any legal punishment, and your future can be forever altered for the worse. If you have been falsely accused of child abuse, contact The Law Offices of Dr. Jones for a free consultation.

About the Author
David R. Jones is a criminal defense attorney at the Denver and Golden, Colorado-based Law Offices of D.R. Jones. A former Colorado State Public Defender, Mr. Jones earned his law degree from the University of Denver, College of Law and was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1996. He is a member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, National Association of Trial Advocacy, and is active in community efforts to improve the criminal justice system.