Most people pride themselves on how they are viewed by their co-workers, friends and their general community. Everyone wants to be viewed in a positive light, because being thought of as a good person is extremely important for maintaining relationships both in your personal and professional life.
Unfortunately, certain events can be enough to tarnish an otherwise well-thought-of person’s reputation overnight. One of these events is an accusation of domestic violence. If you were accused of domestic violence by your spouse, you’ll not only have to manage your reputation, but you’ll also have to defend yourself against criminal charges. If you’re worried about this accusation and you’re not sure what to do next, the following are some tips.
Find out where the law stands
You may be adamant that your spouse is making a false claim of domestic violence because you know that you have never physically assaulted them. However, it’s important to note that domestic violence comes in many different forms. You may be guilty of domestic violence if you have been verbally abusive, controlling and manipulative, or if you’ve engaged in behavior such as stalking. Therefore, make sure that you take the time to reflect on your actions and question why your spouse has made such an accusation.
Defend yourself and prove your innocence
If you are not guilty of domestic violence, you should be able to aggressively defend yourself and show that the charges were false. Doing so will help you to clear your name and restore your reputation. You may be able to defend yourself by citing a lack of evidence or by showing that your spouse made a false accusation with the ulterior motive of getting an upper hand on child custody arrangements during a divorce.
If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, it is important that you are able to fight for the truth and avoid criminal charges. Therefore, you should take swift action to form your defense.