If you haven't heard, safety advocates across the country make every February a national Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Their laudable cause is to advocate and educate the public to stop sexual and other abuse within teen dating relationships. But beware of false, exaggerated, or manipulative complaints of teen dating violence. If you or your family member face teen dating violence allegations or charges, retain the LLF Law Firm's premier defense attorneys now by calling 888-535-3686 or contacting us. Your freedom, reputation, and future are at stake, but our Criminal Defense Team will fight for you.  

The Issue of Teen Dating Violence 

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month publicizes high rates of abuse within teen dating relationships. As many as one in three teens report physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse in a dating relationship. The rates of dating abuse and violence may be even higher among college students, where nearly half of women report abusive dating behaviors. No doubt, abuse can carry significant physical and mental harm that no teen should suffer. 

Pennsylvania Teen Dating Crimes 

Pennsylvania law defines a long list of domestic violence crimes. Pennsylvania law may enhance by one degree stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and other criminal charges when the conduct allegedly occurs within a dating or domestic relationship. The enhancement makes criminal punishments significantly more serious. Pennsylvania domestic violence crimes can apply just as much to teen dating and intimate relationships as they do to domestic relationships between adults. Pennsylvania teens can face serious domestic violence charges. 

False Reports and Unfair Teen Dating Charges 

Prosecutors generally won't hesitate to credit reports of teen dating violence to protect teen victims against serious harm. Unfortunately, false reports of teen dating violence in Pennsylvania can lead to criminal charges against innocent teens. Teens are not always reliable reporters, particularly when involved in volatile dating relationships. Dating breakups, jealousies between dating partners, regrets over intimacy, and other personal and family circumstances can lead to false or exaggerated reports. Teen dating charges thus can often come down to he-said, she-said battles over the credibility of the accuser and accused. 

Pennsylvania Teen Dating Crime Defenses 

Fortunately, teens falsely accused of a Pennsylvania domestic violence crime have the same domestic violence defenses as adults. Prosecutors must still prove all elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, giving our skilled and experienced defense attorneys the opportunity to attack the credibility of false testimony. Defenses may also include consent, lack of intent, the absence of the required dating or domestic relationship, and the absence of any bodily injury. Teens also have the same constitutional rights as adults, the violation of which can raise other defenses. 

Premier Pennsylvania Defense Available 

Don't let the National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month contribute to false, exaggerated, or manipulative Pennsylvania domestic violence criminal charges against you or your family member. Immediately retain the premier LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team the moment you learn of teen dating violence allegations, even before you or your family member face formal criminal charges. Call 888-535-3686 or chat with us now.