A domestic violence accusation is not something you should take lightly. Whether you did it or not, an accusation alone is often enough to ruin your reputation, kill your career and even tear apart your personal relationships with other people.
If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is in your best interest to know what you should do and the mistakes you need to avoid. Here are two big ones you need to skip:
Doing nothing about the accusation
This is a common mistake, especially when the alleged domestic violence accusation is false. For instance, an estranged spouse can make false domestic violence claims to justify a divorce or gain an edge during a child custody case. However, one of the worst mistakes you can make when you have been accused of domestic violence is to sit back and assume that actual innocence will protect you.
Violating an existing protection order
It is important that you take any protection orders against you seriously. One of the most common complications when it comes to domestic violence cases usually has to do with the accused person contacting their alleged victim in some form — thus violating the terms of the existing order of protection. It might be tempting to reach out to your accuser with the goal of trying to patch things up or asking them to recant a false allegation. However, this is actually its own criminal offense — and you don’t need to add to your troubles.
If you have been accused of domestic violence, you may feel confused, frightened and even angry. However, knowing the steps to take and missteps to avoid can help you build a strong defense and avoid a potential conviction.