If you are charged with sexual assault, should you testify?

Criminal Law /
Céline Dostaler
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When preparing to defend a client on sexual assault charges, one of the key considerations is whether that person should testify in their own defence. That decision is not as straightforward as it may seem, even if the defendant is adamant they are not guilty of the crime.

There are many reasons for not having them take the stand, the main one being it is a stressful experience. The accused knows they are facing a serious charge for a crime that carries a very negative social stigma. If they lose, they will almost certainly go to jail while leaving their family and professional lives in shambles. To read more, click here.