As the national dialogue on sexual abuse evolves in the wake of the #MeToo movement, it’s important to affirm the rights of all, including the accused, to fair legal representation.
Allegations of sexual assault or related offenses need to be treated with the utmost seriousness. Similarly, those who are accused of criminal sexual misconduct—including those in athletic organizations—deserve the opportunity to defend themselves and prove their innocence in the context of the criminal justice system.
If you work in organized athletics and have been accused of sexual assault, it can feel overwhelming. An accusation isn’t the same as a criminal conviction, however. A Raleigh SafeSport defense lawyer can uphold your right to due process in order to clear your name.
What is SafeSport?
When you’re accused of sexual misconduct, it can have devastating consequences—not only on your professional career and reputation but also on your personal life. And, for as necessary and urgent the national conversation around sexual misconduct in recent times has been, one unfortunate side-effect has been a tendency to trial by the court of popular opinion.
No matter who you are or what you’ve been accused of, you have a constitutional right to due process and legal representation in the criminal justice system. In the world of athletics, some high-profile abuse cases led to the foundation of SafeSport, a government organization tasked with responding to allegations of sexual misconduct by coaches, trainers, or others working with athletes at any level.
Although sexual misconduct in athletics is a real problem, few people are aware of just how devastating the loss of due process can be for the wrongly accused. If you’ve been accused, it’s important to retain the services of an experienced attorney who can defend you in SafeSport-sponsored proceedings, or in the context of state or federal court.
Your Right to Due Process
When you’re facing an allegation of sexual misconduct, taking action can help you to defend your personal and professional reputation. An experienced SafeSport defense lawyer can provide you with expert defense for some of the following types of allegations or charges:
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment or inappropriate workplace misconduct
- Mental or emotional abuse
- Hazing
The stated purpose of organizations like SafeSport is ending sexual abuse in athletics. Sadly, these organizations often elect to prioritize quick punishments over an impartial proceeding based on due process, which causes irreparable personal and professional harm to individuals who have been accused without merit.
In the face of an accusation of sexual misconduct, you need the help of an experienced attorney who can help you defend yourself from unfounded accusations, and ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact a SafeSport Defense Lawyer in Raleigh
Dealing with a SafeSport proceeding can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect, and the consequences can be massive for your professional and personal life. An expert Raleigh SafeSport defense lawyer with The Chetson Firm can help you clear your name.
Call 919-352-9411 or fill out the form below to contact a lawyer with our firm today.
