Have You Been Accused of Assault? What to Do Next

Assault is a serious crime and it’s important to ensure that violence doesn’t go unpunished. However, there are situations where you may find yourself accused of a crime that you didn’t commit. If you’re found guilty of assault, the legal and social implications can be very serious, so it’s important that you tread very carefully.

If you’ve been accused of assault then it’s likely that you’ll be feeling shocked, anxious and worried about the future. Thankfully, there is help available and people who can be on your side, so if you’re worried about what to do next, read on for our handy guide.

Seek legal help

The very first thing you should do is to seek legal help. Get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible; they will be able to offer you legal representation and advise you about what to do next. A qualified lawyer can help you prepare your defense and make sure that you don’t act in any way which might harm your case.

Don’t act rashly

It can be tempting to try and resolve the situation yourself, especially if the accuser is a neighbour or colleague. However, visiting the accuser (even just to talk) won’t help with your case. It’s also very easy for these confrontations to become heated, and any verbal threats or harsh words could be used against you as evidence.

Document the evidence

It’s vital to document the evidence to help prepare your defense - write down the details of what happened and photograph any evidence (e.g injuries). You should also make a list of potential witnesses who might be able to help.

Know your rights

You have the right to remain silent if you’re arrested, and in many cases it can help. If you’re not sure, don’t answer any questions until you have legal representation. It’s also helpful to educate yourself on what to expect in the following days or weeks (for example interviews, gathering evidence etc).

If you’ve been accused of assault and need expert legal help, get in touch with the team at Lefevre Litigation. Our criminal lawyers are on hand to offer you legal representation, help and advice, and we can discuss the best way to proceed with your case. We can help you prepare for the outcome, whatever the result, so give us a call immediately or visit our website to make an appointment.