The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial has been dominating headlines for weeks. At the heart of the dispute are allegations of abuse the former spouses have made against one another. Each has refuted the abuse claims, but the fact that they were made public has resulted in both actors’ reputations and careers suffering.
What Happens If My Spouse Denies My Domestic Abuse Allegations?
Domestic abuse is a serious accusation that can turn a person’s life upside down in an instant and rightfully so. Anyone guilty of committing domestic abuse should face severe penalties. However, in many cases, a person facing domestic violence charges will fight back. They know what’s at stake and will do whatever they can to refute the allegations and defend their reputation.
The following are defense strategies that people accused of spousal abuse often use to fight back against allegations:
- Attack Credibility – The first thing that an alleged domestic abuser’s defense attorneys will usually do is attack the alleged abuse victim’s credibility. This often involves creating doubt that the abuse victim is telling the truth. Common tactics include accusing the victim of lying, being mistaken about what happened, being coached to make the allegations, having false memories of the incident, or being manipulated into making the allegations.
- Defend Credibility – The next tactic that defense lawyers may use is to demonstrate the credibility of the person accused of domestic abuse. This can involve having the alleged abuser make consistent statements, providing character witness statements, having the alleged abuser pass a lie detector test, provide statements from witnesses and/or alibis, and having the alleged abuser pass a psychological evaluation.
- Question Evidence – Attacking evidence is another strategy that defense attorneys can use to deny abuse claims. This can involve pointing out inconsistencies in the timeline of events, contradictions/inconsistencies in witness statements or in the police report, providing reasonable alternative theories about what happened, or pointing out a witness or investigator’s bias in favor of the accuser.
Need Help with a Legal Matter Involving Domestic Violence? Contact Us Today
Unfortunately, it is often those closest to us that hurt us the most. Whether you have been the victim of domestic abuse, or you are facing false allegations of spousal abuse, you are going to need legal help to defend your reputation and hold your spouse accountable for abuse or for making false claims against you.
At Arnold Law Group, APC, we have a long history of helping both the victims of domestic violence and those who are facing false allegations of spousal abuse. We understand the stakes are high. That’s why we work side-by-side with our clients to ensure their rights are protected and their spouse is held accountable for what they’ve done.
To learn more about domestic violence cases in California, or to discuss your situation with our experienced domestic violence attorneys, give us a call at (559) 900-1263 or reach out to us online today.