“Atonement” And Criminal Defense
The romantic epic film “Atonement” is sweeping the box office and the awards ceremonies, recently picking up a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama. What does this have to do with criminal defense? A lot, since the story behind “Atonement” highlights the damning power of words.
The story at the center of “Atonement” deals with a young girl who, misunderstanding what she sees at a family party, accuses a young man of raping a houseguest. Her accusation sets in action a chain of events that leads to the defendant serving time in prison, leaving only to be killed during World War II. The girl’s accusation makes sense at the time and is an accurate statement of her understanding of events. But the defendant’s inferior place in the family and the social stigma of rape force him into jail for a crime he didn’t commit, tearing apart a family and ultimately costing him his life.
All too often, a single accusation, whether out of malice or just misunderstanding, can set a criminal case into motion. Police must have an accusation to work off of, and “he said” versus “she said” can be pitted against one another in criminal court. Because of the many ins and outs of evidence, testimony, hearsay and criminal claims, it’s vital that a defendant who is accusing himself against false claims hire the best possible criminal defense attorney to help stay out of jail and keep his good name unsullied. Often, a good criminal defense lawyer can use legal procedure to his or her advantage, bargain down a plea, or get a case dismissed outright when outlandish and unsubstantiated claims are involved.
The attorneys of Neil Shouse & Associates are committed to each and every client. We offer a compassionate ear, unfailing customer service, and a track record that shows our ability to fight and win criminal defense cases. Have you been falsely accused of a crime? Don’t hesitate – call our offices today to find out how we can help.
