In the legal world, an accusation of sexual assault or molestation is one that is handled with scrutiny and is not taken lightly.
A child or adult witness, a psychological examination, a sexual assessment, and exposure to a grueling cross-examination are just a few of the things one can look forward to when accused of sexual crimes.
With jail sentences having become extremely lengthy and laws being more rigid in the last few years, it is even more important than ever before to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
If you've been accused of sexual assault or molestation, you can expect a difficult journey ahead of you.
This is not to say that you will come out of it, and will be stronger for having done so, but it will be one of the hardest situations you have ever found yourself in.
If you are guilty of the crime, it is best to be straightforward and truthful with your attorney right away.
Be careful not to admit your guilt to anyone else but your defense attorney.
They can guide you, and the court system, in the right direction to assist you with the fairest outcome.
If you are innocent of the crime you've been accused of, be prepared for a trial where your accuser will most likely take the stand.
Your experienced criminal defense attorney will know exactly how to steer the conversation to your advantage while preserving your dignity.
As far as the medical community, you can expect doctors, psychologists, and other health care professionals to be a part of the trial process.
The accuser will have been examined by a hospital of private practice physician and their lawyer(s) will be presenting the information from that exam in court.
If your accuser has visited a psychologist, then that information gathered will also be offered at trial as well.
As part of your defense, your criminal defense attorney may set up several mental and/or medical exams for your benefit.
These may include sexual assessments to disprove your status as a sexual predator as well as a psychological evaluation by an expert in the area of interviewing persons accused of sexual crimes.
These exams can offer proof of your innocence and help sway the jury towards finding you not guilty.
Some specific areas of expertise you will want to look for in an attorney who can properly defend you include experience (for years) with these types of sensitive cases, knowledge of new laws that apply and how to properly navigate them in court, and how to present a good argument against an accuser.
First, choose a lawyer who has already handled many hundreds of cases of this type.
You can verify this information from their state bar association's office.
Next, they should have a clear and thorough knowledge of the current laws as well as past cases like yours and what their results were in trial.
This helps your attorney to present both current and verifiably defendable information to the jury and judge to help you in your case.
Finally, you'll be best helped by a lawyer who knows that child accusers can be unreliable because they can be persuaded into admitting things, as well as accuse people of crimes, that never occurred.
To speak with an excellent criminal defense attorney who has years of experience defending clients accused of sexual assault or molestation, contact Nimmo Law Group in San Diego, CA.