Falsely Accused of Rape
In this day and age, people forget that you are, in the eyes of the law, innocent until proven guilty. Now, it feels like you are guilty until proven innocent, especially when accused of sex crimes such as sexual assault or rape. Convictions of these crimes can result in terrible penalties, including prison time. You need an attorney on your side that can fight for you, against the accusations and possible consequences.
Our team of criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed is dedicated to helping those who have been falsely accused of rape in Knoxville, Farragut, Anderson County, Blount County, Union City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Clinton, Tennessee, fight for their freedom and justice. If you or a loved one have been wrongfully arrested for a sex crime, contact our attorneys today, and schedule a free consultation of your case.
Legal Definition of Rape in Tennessee
In the state of Tennessee, rape is defined as “unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant.” This is a Class B felony. In order for the act to classify as rape, at least one of the following must have occurred:
Force or coercion was used.
There was a lack of consent.
The defendant knows the victim was physically or mentally disabled,
The act was committed through fraud.
There are other forms of sexual assault or rape that a person can be wrongfully accused of such as aggravated rape, spousal rape, rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, and more. Since these crimes are usually committed out of the viewing of other witnesses, they are ones that are usually used in false allegations. It is important to speak to a criminal defense attorney if someone has wrongfully accused you of any sex crime.
What the Prosecutors Must Prove
In any criminal case, the prosecuting attorneys must prove that you are guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” That means, the prosecutors, with their evidence, must convince the jury that there is no other reasonable conclusion as to what occurred.
That is where we come in. As your criminal defense attorneys, we will provide you with a strong and reliable defense. Whether we need to discredit the accuser’s story in trial or dismiss the charges before a trial begins, we will aggressively fight for the justice that you deserve. Contact us today in Knoxville, Tennessee, and set up a free consultation of your case.
Possible Defense Against Rape
While no two rape cases are the same, depending on your circumstances, we can approach your situation in a number of ways. First, we will hear YOUR STORY. We want to know what actually happened so that we can create the best possible defense.
Witnesses: We can speak to anyone that may have witnessed any part of the “crime,” whether it be before, during, or after the alleged event took place.
DNA or providing an alibi: These can also be a factor in proving your innocence, especially if you were nowhere near the place the “victim” is speaking about.
Some people make false accusations on the motives of revenge, attention, cover-ups, or other shameful ways.
As trial attorneys, we are skilled in cross-examinations, meaning, we do not back down from fights. Learn more about how we can provide a strong defense in your rape case by reaching out to our sex crimes defense attorneys.
Possible Consequences of a Rape Conviction in Tennessee
Rape and other sex crimes are handled very seriously in Tennessee. Most offenses are felonies, which result in much harsher penalties than misdemeanors. If convicted of rape, you could be facing any of the following:
years in prison
large fines
probation
having to register as a sex offender
That is why we serve as criminal defense attorneys, to help residents of Knoxville and the surrounding areas avoid these punishments, especially when they have been falsely accused.
The Dos and Don’ts of Rape Charges
When first accused of a crime, it is completely natural to feel shocked, angry, and anxious about what’s to come. You may feel flustered and feel like you need to do all that you can to prove your innocence. However, with cases as vulnerable as these, some things you say and do can hurt you. If you remember these things, your case may result in a better outcome:
DO preserve any physical evidence that can help you
DO preserve documents like texts, social media posts, emails, GPS locations, or anything else that may work as an alibi for you.
DO make a list of witnesses that can support your story.
DO NOT under any circumstances speak to the victim.
DO NOT speak to the police officers or prosecutors without a criminal defense attorney present.
DO NOT post anything on social media.
DO NOT consent to any DNA or lie detector testing.
Our criminal defense attorneys will handle the logistics of the case for you. If you try to do it yourself, you may end up hurting yourself in the long run. Allow our attorneys to speak and fight for you. Reach out to us today at our Knoxville, Tennessee location, and set up a complimentary meeting.
Speak to a Sex Crimes Attorney Immediately
Facing rape charges alone is not a wise thing to do. You can end up looking desperate, aggressive, and uneducated. That is why you should turn to the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed. We are devoted to helping those wrongfully accused of rape and other sex crimes clear their names and secure justice. If you have been wrongfully arrested for rape in Knoxville, Farragut, Anderson County, Blount County, Union City, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Clinton, Tennessee, contact us immediately and schedule a free consultation.