Criminal accusations should always be taken seriously. Unfortunately, some people knowingly make false accusations against those they dislike for petty reasons. If you are falsely accused, you should contact a lawyer for help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your situation could become.

If someone accuses you of a crime, you should treat the situation as if the police could arrest you at any moment. Even if the accusations are obviously false, the authorities still might investigate, and your life may be disrupted for a while. The sooner you hire a criminal defense attorney, the faster they can explain the situation to the police, so hopefully you will not be arrested. If you are charged based on false accusations, your lawyer should work to make sure that the truth comes out.

For a free, confidential legal assessment from our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers, call the Liberty Law Team at (215) 826-3314.

What Should I Do After Being Falsely Accused of a Crime in Philadelphia?

If you are falsely accused of a crime, you should contact a lawyer for help. The accusations may get out of hand faster than you think, and serious criminal charges and penalties could be at stake.

Call a Lawyer

Call a lawyer as soon as possible. Do not assume that false accusations will not lead to an arrest and criminal charges. The police may be more keen to believe your accuser than you. You need an attorney who can protect your rights and help you disprove the accusations.

Start Gathering Evidence

Once you have a lawyer, begin gathering evidence that we can use to disprove the accusations and clear your good name. Do you have an alibi? Can someone vouch for your whereabouts when this crime supposedly occurred? Maybe a crime really did take place, but someone else committed it. Any evidence that undermines the accusations against you should be collected before it becomes lost.

Communicate with Law Enforcement or Prosecutors

If you are arrested, or the police plan to arrest you soon, your attorney can help you present the evidence you have that disproves the accusations. Sometimes, the police are willing to examine the evidence and readjust their course of action.

If the police cannot be persuaded, we may be able to contact prosecutors in charge of the case. They may be persuaded by the evidence to drop the charges.

What if I am Criminally Charged in Philadelphia Based on False Accusations?

If you are criminally charged based on false accusations, your lawyer should help you fight the charges with evidence and careful legal strategies.

Build Your Defense with a Lawyer

You must determine how to approach your defense. If you have compelling evidence that may completely exonerate you, it may be a good idea to get this information to the prosecutors before the trial. This way, the case can end before it begins. If prosecutors are less willing to listen, our Chester, PA criminal defense lawyers can prepare our evidence for court.

Discovery Phase

The discovery phase may be crucial because it allows us to access the evidence prosecutors plan to use against you. If the accusations are false and the evidence is weak, we may be able to successfully fight the charges in court.

Motions to Dismiss

If the evidence is weak, prosecutors may be unlikely to meet their burden of proof. This is usually a question for the jury to decide. Still, if the evidence is so insufficient that there is simply no way that the prosecutor can meet their burden, we may be able to file a motion to dismiss for a lack of evidence. If the judge agrees, the charges will be dismissed.

FAQs About What to Do if Someone Falsely Accuses You of a Crime in Philadelphia

What Should I Do if Someone Falsely Accuses Me of a Crime?

If someone makes a false criminal accusation against you, stay calm and contact a lawyer for help. Even if they have not reported the false claims to the police, you should treat the situation as if the police will get involved. Your attorney can help you protect yourself and hopefully stop the false claims before they get out of hand.

Do I Need a Lawyer if Someone Makes a False Criminal Accusation Against Me?

Yes. False accusations should always be taken seriously, even if it is very clear they could not possibly be true. A lawyer can help you put a stop to the false allegations before they lead to real charges and penalties.

Will I Be Charged if Someone Falsely Accuses Me of a Crime?

Maybe. This is a major reason to hire a lawyer if someone falsely accuses you of a crime. The police take accusations seriously, and you could be arrested. In some cases, people are even formally charged based on false accusations.

Are There Penalties for Making False Criminal Accusations in Philadelphia?

Yes. A person who knowingly makes a false criminal accusation against someone else may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania.

How Can I Prove I Did Not Commit a Crime for Which I am Falsely Accused?

If the accusations are truly false, the truth will likely come out eventually. You might have a solid alibi that proves you could not have committed the crime. In many cases, there is no crime. This often means that prosecutors cannot possibly gather enough evidence to press charges. We may be able to use this lack of evidence to your advantage.

How Can I Prove That the Person Who Accused Me of a Crime is Lying?

We may need to prove that the person who accused you had some reason to lie. You might have a history with this person, and they might not like you or have some reason to want to cause you harm. Talk to your attorney about how you know the person who made the false accusation.

Will I Have a Trial if the Criminal Accusations Against Me Are False?

If you are formally charged based on false accusations, there may be a trial in your future. All criminal defendants charged with a crime have a right to a trial. At your trial, we can work to prove that you are not guilty and that the accusations against you were false.

What if the Police Do Not Believe Me When I Say I am Falsely Accused?

The police will likely not be on your side if they arrest you. Their goal is to gather incriminating information, not find reasons why you should not be charged. As such, they might not believe you when you say you have been falsely accused. Remain calm, invoke your right to remain silent, and demand to call a lawyer immediately.

Get Legal Help from Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyers Now

For a free, confidential legal assessment from our Delaware County, PA criminal defense lawyers, call the Liberty Law Team at (215) 826-3314.