I Am Accused of Child Molestation But I Am Innocent

 Posted on October 21, 2022 in Criminal Law

An accusation of child molestation can be tormenting especially if it is made by someone in your own family and you are innocent. The insinuations cast doubts on you and can destroy a family. Sex crime charges are not only damaging to your reputation but have lasting consequences. You should act fast and seek out a criminal defense attorney who can start building a strong defense right away.

Allegations of Child Abuse 

Child molestation is a form of abuse. Society as a whole is inclined to believe the accuser. If you go to court, a jury does not always look at the accused favorably. Child molestation involves sexual or indecent activities between an adult and a child under 13 years old. The following sexual behaviors are considered child molestation under Illinois law:

• Inappropriate touching and contact that does not lead to penetration

• Exposing the child to pornography

• Forcing the child to watch sex acts

Guilty Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Custody battles and family disputes can sometimes propel false accusations of abuse. There could be reasons for retaliation or factors that could lead you to believe the child would lie. Is the child being influenced by someone to fabricate a story? As you can see, these are not easy cases for the prosecution. But it is up to you to prove that the allegations are false. Perhaps the child has a history of lying or maybe someone had a suspicion that a child was being abused based on something they saw or something the child said.

Steps to Take if You Are Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Child 

Sex crimes against children are very serious. If you are convicted you could face severe sentencing and you may have to register as a convicted sex offender. The first step is to speak with an attorney who can advocate on your behalf.  It is important to have an experienced legal team in your corner to protect your rights and interests. The second step is to refrain from talking to anyone about the accusations against you, other than your attorney. Anything you say could be used against you in court. It is also important that you do not try to contact the alleged victim or their family. This could be perceived as harassment, and it could make the situation worse.

Contact a Rolling Meadows Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

At Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law if you are facing sex crime charges, we will do our best to provide you with a vigorous defense. As a former prosecutor, Arlington Heights criminal defense attorney Scott Anderson knows first-hand how the other side will prosecute a case. Call 847-253-3400 for a free consultation.

Sources: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K11-1.20 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+11&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=14400000&SeqEnd=21000000