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Facing a sexual misconduct allegation at work: the importance of your first account
Kirsty Churm
Even if you have not yet been contacted by the police you should speak to a criminal defence lawyer. On no account should you try to contact the person making the allegation. If you have any records of communication with your accuser (emails, text messages, call records, letters), make sure to preserve them.
False allegations of sexual offences can be made for a number of reasons. Do not try to contact the complainant – directly or indirectly - under any circumstances. Your first step should be to contact a criminal defence lawyer and obtain specialist advice. You should then allow your lawyer to take any further action deemed necessary and you should not conduct your own enquiries.
In many cases the police, who are obliged to investigate allegations of sexual offences, will seek to arrest suspects without advance notice. In such a situation, you have the right to be represented at the police station. Under no circumstances should you agree to be interviewed by the police without first obtaining legal advice.
In some cases the police may ask you to attend an interview voluntarily (without arrest). Again, your first step should be to contact a criminal defence lawyer who can liaise with the police and ensure the process is conducted fairly and properly.
It is a very common misconception that being represented by a solicitor in a police interview means that you have something to hide. The reality is that sexual offences are legally complex and without proper legal advice you will be significantly disadvantaged. Crucially, if you are legally represented you are entitled to “disclosure” before any interview. This means that the police will provide some advance notice about the allegation(s) and what they want to question you about. If you do not have a lawyer, there is no requirement for the police to provide disclosure and you will go into the interview entirely unprepared.
Consent is one of the most important concepts in sexual offences. Simply put, consent is an agreement by a person who has the freedom and capacity to agree. However the issues of consent become more complex when you consider that, even if person A alleges that they were involved in a non-consensual sexual act with person B, it has to be proved that B did not reasonably believe A was consenting.
The question of intoxication – and its effect on consent – is a regular feature of sexual offence allegations. Because of the complexity of the issue, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
The seizure of electronic equipment is standard procedure in many police investigations. Once items have been taken, they may be submitted to a forensic laboratory for “interrogation”. This process can take many months to complete (unless the case is given a high priority, and most are not). This can cause serious inconvenience to those under investigation and steps can be taken by solicitors to obtain copies of any data seized.
The nature of sexual offences mean that most allegations are of conduct that took place in private, and it is rare to have third party witnesses. The police do not require additional witnesses and a prosecution can be based on the word of just one person.
There is no straightforward answer because much depends on the nature of the allegations themselves and how the police decide to deal with it. Generally speaking, sexual offences take longer to investigate than many other criminal matters. If historic allegations are involved then an investigation may take many months. If charges follow then the matter is dealt with in court and will take considerably longer to come to an end.
You will be required to appear at court. Depending on the seriousness of the allegations, the case may take place at either the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court. Cases move more quickly in the Magistrates Court but in the event of a not guilty plea, proceedings will last a number of months. In the Crown Court, where trials are heard in front of a jury, it can take up to a year (and sometimes longer) for a case to come to trial.
While in many sexual offence cases the complainant is entitled to anonymity, if you are prosecuted there is little that can be done to prevent publication of your identity (unless it might lead to the identification of, for example, a child). Prior to charge, however, we have a strong track record in defending and protecting individuals’ rights to privacy and anonymity. Allegations of sexual misconduct carry a particular stigma and we recognise how important it is to minimise public exposure.
Following arrest, suspects are often released from the Police Station on Police Bail. The Police often release suspects on Police Bail when they wish to impose Police Bail Conditions on a suspect. Police Bail Conditions may prohibit a suspect from doing a certain thing, or require a suspect to live in a certain place. If Police Bail conditions are breached, the suspect may be arrested for breaching Police Bail Conditions.
The initial time limit for Police Bail is 28 days. Following this period, the Police may be granted an extension of bail up for a further three months (if a Senior Police Officer authorises the extension). After the three month period, the Police are required to make an application to the Magistrates’ Court to extend the Police Bail period.
Anyone seeking to challenge their bail conditions should seek the advice of a Solicitor.
Following the reforms to the Police Bail regime, in most cases, the Police often allow a suspect to be “Released under investigation.” This means that the Police will continue to investigate the allegations against a suspect, but the suspect is not on Police Bail and no bail conditions apply.
For more information and if you have a concern regarding a sexual offence allegation, please contact our team in confidence.
We also have a cross-disciplinary team advising on sexual misconduct allegations in the workplace, including members of our employment, regulatory and media & reputation teams. Our unrivalled experience in dealing with some of the highest profile and most sensitive cases involving sexual allegations in the workplace enables us to provide expert advice and support when clients need it most.
A dynamic team that shows good attention to detail."
Chambers UK 2021
The general crime department is the best I have ever worked with. They are unsurpassed in the way they work as a team on their cases - it's a very well-drilled, slick operation."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Kingsley Napley has real strength and expertise at all levels of the crime group. The team is hard-working, focused on getting results and yet maintains the human touch."
Legal 500 UK 2020
They are able to draw on expertise across the firm to provide a seamless service - if you are facing criminal allegations they can also handle the media, as well as any employment issues or regulatory proceedings that may arise."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Leading criminal team that demonstrates impressive strength in depth across a broad range of cases. Regularly acts on high-profile cases involving well-known public figures. Highly recommended for its handling of complex murder charges and historic sexual abuse investigations."
Chambers UK 2019, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
They stand out because of their ability to stop a case before it gets started. Their commitment, preparation and tenacity set them apart. They are a strong firm."
Chambers UK 2018, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
They pick up some fantastic work, they have some fantastic clients and they have a skill of trying to get rid of matters before they go too far."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
Their reputation as being the pre-eminent solicitors in this market is deserved. They are justifiably instructed in infamous, heavyweight cases and I can't imagine that anyone is ever dissatisfied with the service they receive."
Chambers UK, 2017
The crime team is first-rate. They are dedicated, hard-working and tireless in their preparation of cases."
Chambers UK, 2017
First-class firm in terms of client care, as well as its thorough and meticulous approach to case preparation, both at pre-charge stage and at trial."
Legal 500 UK, 2017
They are determined to do the best for their clients at all times and leave absolutely no stone unturned. It is a brilliant defence firm."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results."
Legal 500 UK 2021
The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work."
Chambers UK 2021
Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business."
Legal 500 UK 2021
In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality."
Chambers UK 2021
KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client. They unfailing do the very best for their clients."
Legal 500 UK 2021
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