Forcible Rape Defense; False Accusations in Relationship and Date Rape Cases

Forcible rape and attempted forcible rape betweenall of the signals of a willing participant, the better
people who know each other, either casually or well,your chances of success. The witnesses to her
make up a sizeable percentage of the falseearlier drinking and provocative conduct can provide
accusations in the criminal justice system. The cry ofgood evidence that the defendant thought she was
rape or abuse is a familiar cry when a relationshipdesirous of consensual sex. While most states' "rape
goes sour or when a woman has second thoughtsshield" laws go far in protecting the history of the
after a night of sex or near intimacy. While there arealleged victim, your lawyer should find out as much as
certainly legitimate claims of rape and attempted rapethey can about the alleged victim's history. Due
in the world, from the defendant's perspective thereProcess requires you to be able to defend yourself
are good reasons to view each claim with skepticism.and a good lawyer can usually find information that is
Relationship rapes and date rapes are closely relatedadmissible that sheds light on her character.
and the techniques to defend each are similar.The defendant's character for not being sexually
The reasons for the accusations vary as do theaggressive can be important. It is admissible evidence
situation, the character and personality of the allegedto show that you are not sexually aggressive. Prior
victim. In the system you see questionablegirlfriends, female friends and co-workers, and friendly
accusations when dating or love relationships go sourex-spouses can be a good source for this evidence.
and the woman is being rejected or being thrownYour attorney must be prepared to contest the
aside for another woman. Sometimes in more casualmedical evidence if the alleged victim went to a
dating the woman makes an accusation after havinghospital or a sexual assault response team. The
too much alcohol and engaging in sex. The morningcurrent trend is for these medical personnel to testify
after they realize what they have done and anthat the alleged victims had physical injury to their
accusation follows to protect their pride, cover theirvaginal area. What is usually found are microscopic
embarrassment, or justify a situation to theirabrasions that are a result of the friction of
boyfriend or significant other.intercourse. Sometimes the prosecution's medical
Sometimes in younger women the issue of sex is stillpersonnel try to say these micro-abrasions are
very delicate and the accusation comes after givinginconsistent with consensual sex.
in and realizing afterwards what they have doneThe research shows that micro-abrasions don't mean
does not sit well with their present psyche. Again,anything negative. They are as consistent with
many times alcohol is a factor.consensual sex as well as anything else. Your lawyer
Sometimes the mental stability of the alleged victim ismust be prepared to cross-examine these alleged
a major factor in making an accusation. Allexperts aggressively. Your lawyer should also have a
experienced rape defense lawyers have seen thecounter-expert ready to testify to the opposite of
young man who falls for a beautiful but unstablethe prosecution's expert.
young woman and ends up getting accused whenDate rape accusations aren't just limited to younger
they break up or go farther than the woman'speople. It happens throughout the age spectrum
mental state will allow.where single men go out with women of
And, quite frankly, men are often too driven by theirquestionable stability.
sexual desires to be careful in their judgments aboutIf the accusation comes out of a relationship
who they attempt to bed. Men view sex entirelybreakup, look carefully at the mental history of the
different than women for the most part. Men arealleged victim. Many times young men fall in love with
very capable of enjoying sex and not thinkingvery defective young women. A symptom of certain
anything about it afterwards except for how muchpersonality disorders seen in young women are the
fun they had. Women may claim that is how theyinability to handle rejection. A person they once
feel but the facts of these accusations show theyidealized quickly becomes their archenemy and
have a much harder time accepting it as such asubject to false accusations of rape. If your
meaningless act of pleasure. It is in these instancesjurisdiction allows, your lawyer should get a
that false accusations arise.psychological evaluation of the alleged victim. If your
Also, often times "no means no" to a woman. A manjurisdiction doesn't allow it, you should investigate her
can easily interpret "no" as "yes." He thinks she is justhistory thoroughly. With a psychologist to guide your
trying to show that she is not easy. Unfortunately,efforts, you will probably find evidence to support
the trend in most states is that when a woman saysyour theory.
no it means that consent to proceed has beenAs part of your investigation, look for prior instances
withdrawn, even in the throes of great passion.of credibility problems on the part of the alleged
In a rape defense it is important for the lawyer tovictim. Check her job history and try to find her
understand all of the circumstances of the relationshipformer boyfriends. Chances are you will find a history
or the situation. A detailed minute by minute accountof lying and deception.
is necessary to understand whether the rules haveIn any rape or attempted rape accusation you must
been broken. Many times if there is simply afind the motive of the alleged victim to lie. These
misreading of signals, the benefit of the doubt will becases of false accusations can be defended
given to the defendant. Most jurors have been insuccessfully, but you must find the motive. It is the
multiple sexual and intimate situations and they cankey to the jury understanding why the young lady
understand mixed signals.would go so far as to make such a serious false
The more you can show that the woman gave offaccusation of rape against you.