If you or someone you love faces an accusation of rape, it’s a grave life altering event. Consult the experienced defense attorneys at Hartwig Law to protect your rights and build the strongest defense possible.
Reviewing Evidence and Police Reports
One of the first and most important things our defense team will do is get copies of all the evidence and police reports, referred to as discovery, related to the case. They will go through everything with a fined tune comb. This includes witness statements, DNA test results, medical records, recorded interviews, and anything else the prosecutor might use against the accused.
Uncovering an Alternative Narrative
While gathering information from evidence, witnesses, and experts, the defense team aims to craft an alternative narrative of events demonstrating the innocence of the defendant, reframing the circumstances to show no criminal wrongdoing.
Some common defense strategies in rape cases include:
Alibi
An alibi defense strategy revolves around presenting evidence indicating that the defendant was elsewhere when the alleged rape occurred, thus negating their ability to have committed the crime. Such evidence may include testimony from individuals who were with the defendant at the relevant time, surveillance footage placing them in a different location, receipts, phone records, or other documentation corroborating their whereabouts.
Physical Evidence
Forensic evidence like DNA, fingerprints, or documented injuries can be some of the most powerful proofs in a rape case. A skilled defense lawyer will carefully examine all the physical evidence, looking for potential weaknesses or alternative explanations.
Questioning
The accuser is often the central witness in a rape case, so the defense will usually look for ways to damage their credibility. Through investigation and cross-examination, the defense might highlight inconsistencies in the accuser’s story, memory gaps, or issues that question their perception or truthfulness.
The goal is to highlight weaknesses that create doubt about the rape allegation itself, not simply to smear the accuser. An effective lawyer will assess whether each element of the crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, considering the totality of evidence and the credibility of witnesses. If jurors view the accuser as believable and reliable overall, poking minor holes in their story is unlikely to lead to acquittal.
Develop a Strong Attorney-Client Relationship
When you’re facing rape charges, it’s crucial to have defense attorneys you can trust and communicate with. A good defense lawyer will take the time to listen to your side of the story, answer all your questions, and keep you informed at every stage of the case.
Building a strong attorney-client relationship lays the foundation for an effective defense. Your lawyer is your advocate and advisor, so it’s important to be honest with them. Facing criminal charges of this magnitude is stressful and overwhelming, but skilled and supportive attorneys can alleviate some of the burden.
Consider a Plea Bargain
In certain situations, proceeding to trial may not be the most advisable course of action. If the prosecution has compelling evidence, contesting the charges in court could result in a conviction and harsher penalties. Experienced and knowledgeable defense attorneys will scrutinize the specifics of the case and assess whether pursuing a plea bargain is the better option.
A plea bargain entails an agreement between the defense and prosecution, wherein the defendant admits guilt, often to reduced charges, in exchange for a more lenient sentence. For instance, opting to plead guilty to a charge of sexual assault rather than facing a trial for rape. While this does entail acquiring a criminal record, it can spare the defendant from the potential of a substantially longer prison sentence if convicted at trial.
Contact Defense Attorneys Immediately
If you’re facing rape charges, time is of the essence. It’s important to involve a lawyer as soon as possible and the sooner your defense attorney can start investigating and crafting your case, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
If you or a loved one is accused of a federal crime, contact Hartwig Law LLC at 330-899-4446 today and schedule a free consultation.