Being accused of sexual abuse, particularly a sex crime against a child, can have catastrophic consequences on your life. The legal impact of a conviction is severe and can include harsh financial penalties and significant jail time. Furthermore, the collateral consequences of an accusation or a conviction for a sex crime against a child can disrupt every aspect of your life, from your family and friends to your employment and home address. 

Additionally, the circumstances surrounding a child sexual abuse investigation or prosecution may be further complicated when law enforcement has questioned young witnesses using suggestive, improper, or misleading interview techniques. 

If law enforcement may have used suggestive interview techniques to manipulate a witness, you must take immediate action to protect yourself. The LLF Law Firm Team can partner with you to ensure that evidence is collected properly and challenge the validity of any manipulative or suggestive interviews. Contact the LLF Law Firm by phone at (888)535-3686 or online to discuss your case. 

Children Are Vulnerable to Suggestive Interview Tactics 

We want to believe that children always tell the truth. 

But, we know that children and their memories are highly suggestible. It has been well-documented by researchers that interviewers can influence the statements of children by asking leading questions, hinting at the favored answer to a question, or improperly offering two possible options to a question with many possible responses. These and other suggestive tactics can be so influential that a child may become unable to differentiate between their actual experiences and the experiences suggested by interviewers. 

Research suggests that it is possible to interview children without manipulating their memories. 

Despite this knowledge, police officers rarely prioritize impartial interview methods when questioning children. On the contrary, law enforcement is often focused on substantiating allegations of sexual abuse. To make quick arrests, the police may apply interview tactics proven to manipulate the memories of the young. Such efforts can undermine the accuracy of a child's memory to such an extent that the child is no longer able to differentiate between their factual experience and improper or illegal behavior suggested by the interviewer. Unfortunately, questionable interview tactics can lead to inaccurate witness statements, wrongful arrests, the conviction of innocent people, and the destruction of entire families. 

Protect Yourself From Accusations Based on Manipulated Interviews  

If you have been charged with the sexual abuse of a child, the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help you defend against accusations gained through improper and manipulative interview techniques. Now, it's time for you to take action to protect yourself and your rights. Contact the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit a confidential online consultation form to get the legal representation you need and deserve.