There is nothing quite as shocking as being falsely accused of abusing another person. What was an innocent argument between spouses could become the center of allegations just because your spouse wants to put you on the spot or protect their own interests when they file for divorce. Some people want to slander you and make you look bad to others as a way of punishing you, even if you don’t deserve it.
Still, false allegations are serious business. There is no reason that you should be falsely accused of a crime, even if the other person is angry at you. This is a disgusting act to commit against another person.
Your spouse may become vindictive during a divorce, and that is when you should be concerned. False allegations of domestic abuse can affect your divorce negatively. In the courtroom, your reputation will matter.
It is easy for your spouse to seek an order of protection, even if you have done nothing wrong. Your spouse may call the police and make false allegations that immediately result in you being removed from the home. Is that fair? No, but you have to remember that the police want to make sure that no one gets hurt. The situation isn’t clear to outsiders, so you could find that you are accused and treated as if you are responsible for abuse even when you are not.
What if the other person is responsible for domestic violence?
This is an all-too-common scenario. The abuser, hoping to avoid penalties, manipulates the situation to make it appear that you are the person causing trouble in your relationship. It may take time for the truth to come out, and while you are waiting for your chance to prove that the other person is responsible for your pain and suffering, your reputation will suffer.
What should you do if you are served with an order of protection?
If you are served with an order of protection, don’t ignore it or believe that it will go away on its own. Even if these are false allegations, the impact of those allegations can extend far beyond the initial situation. You may find that it is harder to obtain child custody or that you are treated unfairly in court because of a bias from those who believe that you are an abuser.
It is your attorney’s job to make sure that you are treated fairly and that false allegations come to light. Once you can clear your name, you can choose to file your own claim against the person who harmed your reputation.
