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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Does it make a difference if you think the allegation is true or not?[/quote]

Why would it, wouldn’t you still need a lawyer and to identify whatever evidence there is?[/quote]

DP. I can't speak from firsthand experience, but a family member's son was accused of rape and sexual battery when he was a very young adult. I'm pretty sure everyone in our family thought the allegation was true, and there was enough forensic evidence to back it up. Nonetheless, my family member did not want to abandon his kid to the system or let a public defender take the case. The best lawyers were hired and they tried everything to discredit the girl. In the end, the young man pled guilty to a lesser charge at the 11th hour with the agreement of the victim and her family and attorney. She preferred not to go through the trauma of a trial and he still got three years in jail. His attorney said it was likely he'd get 20 years if it went before a jury.

This was 15 years ago and the guy's family is still paying off legal fees and he's continued to have trouble with the law and got a subsequent domestic violence charge. I suspect if my family member could go back and do it over again, he would've not poured every last cent they had into defending someone who they knew was most likely guilty. I can't say I blame them. If I had a good reason to doubt the allegation, I would be a lot more likely to invest my resources into disproving it.[/quote]

Forensic evidence is the difference maker here. It's unlikely to be present if the young woman is coming forward years after the fact. This thread explains why 80% of victims do not report. Unfortunately for this female high school student, a lot of them are encouraged/pressured to come forward and report without being informed of the consequences, both legal and social, of reporting- exposure to harassment, victim blaming, being victimized again by the perpetrator or associates, etc.

Young men and their families have undue anxiety about the issue of reporting and their anxiety often leads them to commit further crimes. OP, I would be concerned about this in your shoes. If your son is acting out with anxiety, I would move to another area. Make it clear that he is not permitted to contact this girl or any of her associates in any way. If he does anyway, you have a much bigger problem than a rape allegation. He is not prepared to date or have romantic relationships now until he can learn proper relationship skills, if he is able.[/quote]

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