If you have recently been charged with sexual assault or other sex-related charges, you might be dealing with a lot of fear and panic. Many people do not know what to do in this type of situation and wonder what they should do next. These are some of the important things that you should understand when facing sexual assault charges.
1. Your Charges Should Be Taken Seriously
First of all, do not make the all too common mistake of not taking your charges seriously enough. Sexual assault is a serious crime, and you could end up serving jail or prison time if you are convicted. Sexual assault charges can impact your reputation and your relationships, can impact family matters like child custody, and can make it harder for you to get and keep a job or find and rent an apartment. If you have to register as a sex offender because of a sexual assault conviction, then you might be limited about where you can go and what you can do in your day-to-day life. Because of just how serious these cases can be, it is important not to ignore or put off dealing with your sexual assault charges.
2. It's Important to Keep Yourself Safe
Vigilante justice is a real thing, and it is something that you should be mindful of. You have a right to live peacefully and safely in the days before and after your court date, so make sure that you focus on keeping yourself safe and that you call the police if someone threatens you.
3. You Have a Right to a Fair Trial
It's true that many people are considered to be guilty as soon as they are charged with criminal charges, particularly when those charges are as serious and taboo as sex-related charges. However, you do have the right to a fair trial. Of course, you may find that you will have to fight for this right if you want to be treated seriously and fairly in court. Luckily, working with a sexual assault attorney will help you a lot in this situation. Your attorney will help fight for your rights and will help make sure that your criminal charge is handled in the best way possible.
If you have not yet hired a sexual assault attorney to help you with your case, you should contact one of these attorneys as soon as possible for a consultation.
