Have you been wrongly accused of a sexual offence and don’t know where to turn to?
When you come to ABV Solicitors, our sexual offence solicitor can help to clear your name. We have extensive expertise in this area and will ensure that your legal rights are met and represented professionally and ethically.
Here, our sexual offence solicitor answers common questions about this sensitive area of the law.
What is considered a sexual offence?
In the UK, the following acts are considered sexual offences;
If you have been accused of any of the above activities, then you must contact our sexual offence solicitor as soon as possible. It does not show that you are guilty but will work in your favour should the case go to court, as it will allow us time to gather evidence to defend you.
Should I contact the person who has accused me?
Under no circumstances should you attempt to contact the person who has accused you of a sexual offence, even if you intend to smooth things out.
Should the case go to court, any contact made by you to the alleged victim could be seen as an intimidation tactic and would be used against you by the prosecution. Our team at ABV Solicitors will do all of the liaising on your behalf, ensuring that your legal rights are met and will do so aiming for the best outcome.
Will I need to go to court?
You will only need to appear in court if you are formally charged.
If the offence you are accused of is more minor, your case will most likely be heard in a Magistrates Court and, depending on your plea or the plea we advise you to go for, could be over in a matter of months.
If you have been accused of a more serious sexual offence, such as rape, your case will have to be heard in the Crown Court, which can take up to a year. In any case, we will aim to make the process as easy as possible for you and your family.
Will other people find out?
If you have not been charged, your name will not appear in the press and the police will not be able to release it.
If your alleged sexual offence was severe and it is deemed in the interest of public safety to release your information, your identity will be revealed. If you have been charged, you have no right to anonymity.
Is there a time limit on sexual offence accusations?
No, there is not and there has been an increase in recent years of historic sexual abuse cases.
A person who is claiming that they have been sexually assaulted are usually given a time limit of around 36 months to contact the police, but older cases are typically considered at the discretion of the court.
If you have been the victim of a false sexual assault accusation, then you must wait until your name has been cleared before you begin proceedings, which our team at ABV Solicitors can help with.
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