What to Do When Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence in Rhode Island

By David Ellison

  |  

Criminal Defense

  |  

Last Modified on May 06, 2026

If you are asking yourself what to do when falsely accused of domestic violence, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of securing a successful outcome. Ellison Law LLC can attempt to get the case dropped or prevent unnecessarily harsh domestic violence penalties.

What to Do If You’re Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence?

A recent report from the FBI found that, over a five-year period, the percentage of violent crimes reported within domestic relationships increased. Law enforcement agencies reported more than 11,000 victims of fatal domestic violence and over 1.1 million victims of non-fatal domestic violence.

Domestic violence occurs when a crime is committed between individuals who have a personal relationship, including current or former partners, spouses, co-parents, roommates, or family members. This offense is understandably taken very seriously by the legal system. However, that doesn’t mean some individuals won’t claim that domestic abuse occurred in instances where it didn’t.

Someone might accuse you of domestic violence in the heat of the moment, as a form of revenge, or for a number of other reasons. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you should:

• Remain silent. Once accused of domestic violence, you should exercise your right to remain silent when interacting with law enforcement. While you should cooperate, you should avoid offering up information that isn’t necessary until you have proper legal counsel. You should also refrain from interacting with the accusing party while the case is ongoing.
• Work with a lawyer. As soon as you have been falsely accused, you should retain qualified legal representation.

Why You Should Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer

There are several benefits when you hire a domestic violence lawyer. First, they can effectively represent you and counsel you throughout your case. Domestic violence laws can be incredibly complex and difficult to navigate on your own. To avoid incriminating yourself and have a strong defense approach, you should have a qualified attorney to guide you.

A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer understands what defenses are most logical for domestic violence cases. For example, some defenses include asserting that:

• The allegations are false. This may be proven by establishing that the alleged victim has reason to lie or that the abuse couldn’t have happened.
• The relationship is not domestic. Domestic violence charges only apply to certain relationships between the alleged victim and perpetrator. However, other criminal offenses may still be charged.
• You acted in self-defense. In some scenarios, it may be possible to argue that you defended yourself with reasonable force.

Domestic violence cases in Fall River are most likely to go through the Fall River District Court, located at 186 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721.

Cases in Providence are likely to go through the Rhode Island District Court at 1 Dorrance Plaza, Providence, RI 02903.

Contact a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Ellison Law LLC is a criminal defense law firm with offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Our team strives to provide high-quality counsel and advocacy to each of our clients. Reach out to us today to schedule an initial meeting with a defense law professional. We can guide you through every step of the criminal justice process.