Wrongful Arrest for Child Molestation: Now What?

A wrongful arrest for child molestation is serious. Do not take it lightly. You must act fast or else you will be convicted. On conviction you will have to face serious legal consequences.

Child Molestation

Child molestation is a serious criminal offense defined as non-penetrative physical contact with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification and includes in appropriate touching. Child molestation is a felony in all states. Conviction will result in a jail term and other severe penalties including hefty fines, community service and counseling. A criminal record will be established in your name. This will cause problems for you when you seek a job or when you want to rent an apartment. If you are charged with a crime in the future, you will face harsher penalties because of your previous conviction for child molestation. All states have a sex offender registry which can be accessed by the public. Convicted child molesters must register in the registry. Not doing so is a criminal offense punishable with further imprisonment. Besides the penalties, you will be labeled a child molester for life. You will have to live with the stigma.

Act Now

Child molestation involves sensitive issues. First of all everyone will tend to believe the victim even if the charge is false. So you will not achieve much by screaming your innocence. Instead you will be wasting valuable time. The first thing you should do if wrongly arrested for child molestation is contact an experienced child molestation attorney. You should not answer any questions asked by the police or any investigating agency. It can and will be used against you. Conduct yourself well. You will be the focus of media attention. Your actions will be studied and analyzed. Any bad behavior will be analyzed and used to show that you are capable of child molestation. Avoid the temptation of giving interviews to the media to establish your innocence. Instead work with your attorney to plan your defense.

Gather Evidence

Do not be under the impression that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This does not work in case of child molestation. Make a list of people who can testify for you during trial. Collect everything you can to show that you are a person of good character. Contact all employers – current and past and obtain character letters from them. If you are a member of any community organization, get letters from them vouching for your character. Collect evidence of your contribution to the community such as certificates and letters of appreciation which you may have received.

Get Legal Help

If you have been wrongly arrested for child molestation, it is important that you contact an experienced child molestation attorney immediately. Do not waste time. Work with the attorney to formulate a defense strategy.