What to Do If You've Been Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence

Being accused of domestic violence can immediately affect your life and reputation. While there are some cases in which the charges may genuinely apply to a person, in other instances, the accusations laid against you are entirely false and fabricated.

If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence in Orange County, here are steps you should take to protect yourself.

How to Handle False Domestic Violence Accusations

Hire an Attorney

Especially if this is the first time this has occurred, you’ll need a knowledgeable defense attorney on your side to fight for you. They will be able to look at the details of the accusation and find ways to prove the other party’s claims are indeed false. They will also be able to carefully advise you on the proper steps to make and what actions to avoid.

Do Not Breach Restraining Orders

If your accuser has already filed a restraining order against you, do not break the terms of that order until you are cleared of your charges. Even though you know you are innocent, violating the order can cause you to face further consequences.

Collect Evidence

While you are separated from your accuser, keep track of any times they or anyone named in the restraining order attempts to contact you or requests to meet with you. This can be used in your defense to show they do not see you as a threat.

You should also inform your attorney of any reason you think you may have been falsely accused of domestic violence. Oftentimes, this can happen if you’re in the middle of another legal matter, such as a divorce or custody battle, or as retaliation for some other wrongdoing, such as an affair.

Be a Good Parent

Especially if you have children with your accuser, it’s essential to be a responsible and attentive parent during the process of clearing your name. A domestic violence charge can already affect your visitation rights, so you should actively work to show you are a good parent.

Orange County Domestic Violence Attorneys

At Law Offices of Randy Collins, our Orange County domestic violence attorneys have more than 45 years of combined experience to bring to fight charges on your behalf. Our lawyers will help you understand the charges you’re facing and do their best to work toward obtaining a favorable case outcome.