What to Do If You Were Accused of Assault at a Protest

Everyone has the right to protest and to form demonstrations throughout the United States. If you recently attended a protest, then you know firsthand that it can become a heated environment. What do you do if someone accuses you of something that you didn’t do? It is not unusual for someone to try to paint someone who protests in a bad light. Likewise, it is not unusual for someone to make false allegations against another person because they don’t share the same beliefs. If they cannot win the argument, then they may try to punish others. They might do this by spreading false allegations.

If you recently attended a protest and someone accused you of assaulting him or her, this can be a serious charge. Even if you are certain of your innocence, you need to remember that it is a serious accusation. There are ways that you can fight against it, however.

Know Your Rights

If you face assault allegations, you do have rights. First and foremost, you need to remember that you don’t have to answer any questions that are asked of you. You should be careful not to answer any questions without a lawyer present. You do not want to say the wrong thing. Remember that you are allowed to have a lawyer in any criminal case. You have a right to legal representation and you do not have to speak with the police until you have an aggravated assault attorney present.

False allegations happen all of the time, especially in scenarios where different parties are heated. If you are a victim of these allegations, then you need to know what your rights are to uphold them.

Look for Video Evidence

When it comes to evidence, you can use evidence for the prosecution’s side or the defense. Video evidence is known as demonstrative evidence. At protests, there are cameras everywhere. Not only do most people have phones, but there are a lot of people live streaming and filming the protests throughout the country.

If you were in an altercation where one person accused you of assault, you may be able to find video evidence of the opposite. Video can be one of the best pieces of evidence that you have. When you present evidence of what happened in front of the jury, they will not be able to find you guilty. Try to find those who have video of the protest and of the area that you were in at the same time that the alleged assault occurred.

Talk to a Lawyer

As soon as you face accusations of assault, you should contact an attorney. You might be sure of your innocence, but the fact is that if you are up against assault charges, you have to be able to convince the court that you didn’t assault anyone. Even with the evidence behind you, you still need to strategize your defense. A lot can go wrong when it comes to criminal cases. Often, a defendant may say the wrong thing and find that it was used against them by the prosecution. Something as simple as an apology can be used against you in court. Your lawyer will be able to instruct you on what to say and how to navigate your case. Likewise, he or she will have the experience necessary to make sure that you do not miss any deadlines and that all of your paperwork is filed properly.

At a protest, there is a lot happening at once. The noise and action can sometimes make it difficult to discern what is happening. Likewise, it can lead to a lot of misunderstandings. Sometimes, an argument at a protest can end in assault allegations. No matter why the assault allegations have occurred, you should never try to fight them on your own. Aggravated assault can be a serious charge. You may be facing fines, jail time or even probation. Fortunately, with the right defense, you can prove your innocence.