September 24, 2025 | Sex Crimes
Being accused of rape is one of the most serious charges a person can face in Ohio. The accusation alone can seriously damage your reputation and, if a conviction follows, the consequences could include years in prison as well as mandatory sex offender registration
False accusations happen more often than many people think, sometimes stemming from things like personal disputes or child custody battles. The important thing to know is that you have legal options. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you fight back and protect your future.
What Are Ohio’s Laws on Rape?
Ohio law makes it a crime to engage in sexual conduct with another person without their consent or when certain conditions make consent legally impossible. A conviction can carry some of the most serious penalties found in the law, including mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Law enforcement and prosecutors often act aggressively in pursuing these charges because they consider them especially serious. That means the stakes are high from the very beginning of the case, making it all the important to hire an experienced sex crimes lawyer as soon as possible.
Why Do False Allegations Happen?
People sometimes assume that accusations of rape must always be true.
In reality, false claims can arise in a variety of circumstances, including:
- Personal conflicts, such as revenge or jealousy
- Custody or divorce disputes where one parent seeks leverage
- Attempts to cover up consensual encounters
- Misidentification or mistaken memory
- Pressure from outside parties to report an incident
Knowing why an allegation was made can play an important role in building a defense strategy.
Steps To Take if You’re Falsely Accused of Rape in Ohio
If you are falsely accused of rape in Ohio, it’s critical to act quickly and carefully.
Some important steps to keep in mind include:
- Do not contact the accuser: Any communication can be twisted and used against you.
- Remain silent with law enforcement until you have an attorney: You have the right not to answer questions without counsel present.
- Preserve evidence: Save text messages, emails, and other communications that could support your side of the story.
- Write down details: Record where you were, who you were with, and any events that may serve as an alibi.
Taking these precautions early can make a major difference in how your case unfolds.
Defense Strategies You Can Utilize in False Accusations of Rape Cases
Your lawyer can use a variety of strategies to fight back against false accusations on your behalf effectively.
These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Establishing an alibi through witnesses or records
- Challenging the accuser’s credibility or motive
- Presenting inconsistencies in the accuser’s statements
- Using electronic evidence such as texts or GPS data
- Highlighting violations of your constitutional rights during the investigation
Every case is different, so the right defense will depend on the unique facts of your situation at the end of the day.
Contact the Dayton Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help Today
Being accused of rape when you know you are innocent is terrifying. You may feel like the odds are stacked against you, but you don’t have to face the justice system without a trusted advocate on your side.
Reach out today for a free consultation. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better your chances of successfully defending against the false allegations you’re up against.
For more information, contact the sex crimes attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers. Give us a call today at (937) 531-0435 or visit us at our Dayton Law Office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Dayton
130 West Second Street #17-129,
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 531-0435
