Although many people who file accusations of domestic assault do so in good faith, that does not mean that everyone does. If you find yourself wrongly accused of domestic assault, it is easy to feel hopeless. After all, many people consider those charges to be indefensible and those charged with them to be deserving of punishment.
The truth is that there are some reasonable defenses against domestic assault charges for those who are wrongly accused.
Was there anyone else at the scene?
If you can cast doubt on your role by showing that someone else may have actually committed the assault, that reasonable doubt may be enough for an acquittal.
Was the incident a misconstrued accident?
Sometimes an accident is perceived as an intentional act of aggression, especially for someone who has suffered abuse in the past. If the incident in question was genuinely an accident, consider how you can document that fact. Any witnesses or evidence that can work in your favor is beneficial.
Was the incident self-defense?
Many people believe that, when a woman accuses a man of domestic assault, he is unable to claim self-defense. While there is still a stigma attached to male victims of domestic assault and abuse in some circles, it happens more often than you think. If you were simply defending yourself, consider providing documentation of your wounds or recordings that show the other party’s aggression.
The more proactive you are about gathering information to defend yourself, the easier it will be to fight the charges.
