What should I do if someone falsely accuses me of theft?
I am a jeweler and I was going to a very rich client's house to handstring her very expensive pearls. She knew I had a shop at home to solder and metalwork and several times she asked me to take silver pieces home to work on. Once she asked me to take two turquoise rings home to turn into earrings. I didn't have the time because I was working on something else for her so I told her I would pick them up later. She put them away in a box with some beads and I saw her do this.Later she asked for the rings and I told her I didn't have them. Then she accused my husband of taking them. Then she accused me, but she would not listen to me when I tried to explain where the rings were because she had put the away in a different box than usual. So I finally got angry and said, “okay, you say I'm a thief then I'm a thief and I stole your rings.”We had been good friends. I knew one day she would find them which she did. Then she had to apologize to me, but I just couldn't trust her anymore and I never worked for her again. It ruined our friendship. Next time, people should do more listening instead of accusing.
Rape convictions based on testimony of accuser alone: good or bad?
BAD. You have no way to know if a crime even took place except the victim's word, unlike most other criminal activity. Someone says their car has been stolen, the police can indeed verify that a car is missing and likely stolen. Someone says that person assaulted me, there is usually physical evidence that an assault took place. There is almost always independent evidence that an event (crime) actually occurred: murder=dead body, Assault and Battery=wounds, and so on. Getting rid of all need for physical evidence that someone even had sex, seems like a crazy thing to do in rape cases. That seems like saying you don't need a dead body to claim murder, you don't need a injury (or even a mark) to claim assault, you don't even need a car to claim one was stolen. Now realistically, rape is going to be much harder to prove with zero evidence except the accuser's word. But still is very concerning to have only a victim's word that a crime took place. there are a lot of liars in the world and rape carries some very heavy, life destroying consequences to be solely placed on one person's words without ANYHING at all to collaborate it. Heck just think if we did that for sexual assault too. I could send dark eyes to jail just by going to the police station and saying "dark eyes just sexually assaulted me by grabbing my crotch". Dark eyes is arrested, tried, and if convicted goes to jail, loses her career, and (after she gets out)has to register as a sex offender and try to find someone to hire her as a convicted felon. While I go out and have a beer and chuckle to myself. Does that sound like a functional legal system to you?
What should you do if you are wrongly accused of stealing?
I AM NOT A LAWYER. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.Wrongfully accused or innocent? Were you arrested and charged with a crime or did someone eat the last package of cupcakes?To me, “Wrongfully accused” means “guilty with blurred evidence”. 2 words now equal 4 and the GAME begins. “Inocent”, one word! Never offer more than necessary. If you need a muzzle buy one!If you have been charged with a crime keep your mouth shut and contact a lawyer ASAP. And NEVER, and I mean never, say “wrongfully accused” again.In a court of law WORDS begin to defy both physics and definition. I'd suggest hitting a law library to educate yourself concerning your charges and the punishments they may carry. Discuss your case with your lawyer only, and ask questions. Take part in your defense BEFORE entering a court room.Unless you are wealthy you will be propositioned to trade that innocence for quick resolution to avoid a financial boondoggle. For guilty people plea court could be beneficial. For innocent people of modest means this can become a nightmare. And guess what? Nobody cares.I have been a successful fool! I'm currently reprising my role as “The Fool”. DO NOT BE A FOOL!…and if you are guilty???? Hold yourself accountable, take personal responsibility, and be a god damn man.
Is it better to have a case dismissed or to be found innocent?
I went to court trial after I was accused of doing something that I didn't do. The accuser came and told the truth. They are getting a misdemeanor and my case was dismissed. This incident still shows on my record in the Wisconsin Court Access system but as dismissed. How is this going to look since I want a job in law enforcement? Is it better to be found innocent or to get it dismissed? Please only respond with an educated response. Thank you.