We understand the emotional toll that filing a sex abuse lawsuit can have on your life. Many people want to avoid having their experiences dragged into the public eye, experiencing valid concerns about their privacy and the long-term effects of a lawsuit on their lives.
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your privacy in a sex abuse lawsuit. Our team at White Law PLLC can review the legal options you have to secure your privacy while seeking compensation for your losses.
Discuss these steps in detail by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Protect Your Privacy with a Pseudonym
In order to protect your privacy in a sex abuse lawsuit, your lawyer may suggest filing a claim under a pseudonym or a false name. You have multiple options for pseudonyms. Your lawyer may recommend using the following:
- John Doe or Jane Doe
- Your first and last initials
- Your first name and last initial
The court system provides this option as protection for individuals filing sexual abuse claims if they have a legitimate privacy concern.
Can You Start Using a Pseudonym Once Your Trial Starts?
Using a pseudonym can protect your privacy during a sex abuse claim. However, you must use the pseudonym from the beginning of your claim in most cases. The court may refuse a pseudonym if you initially file under your real name.
However, the court may still approve the late usage of a pseudonym if all parties involved agree to the stipulation. You can find out more about this process with a sex abuse lawyer.
Does Filing Under a Pseudonym Stop Everyone from Knowing Your Name?
Laws regarding pseudonym usage when filing a civil claim vary around the county. In some areas, you must share your identity with the defendant of your claim, even if you keep it private from everyone else.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Working with a Lawyer May Protect Your Privacy
Sex abuse lawyers in Michigan understand all your privacy rights. Therefore, they can stand up for you if the defense and other lawyers attempt to violate your privacy. For example, the defense may attempt to gain information about your sexual history.
Many states require a court order before the defense can ask questions about your past sexual conduct. However, it can be challenging to understand your rights in this situation without a lawyer standing at your side.
Hiring an attorney provides you with someone who can push back on any improper questioning that could push against your privacy.
Can a Lawyer Protect Your Privacy During a Sex Abuse Trial?
In addition to standing up for your rights before a trial, your lawyer can monitor the actions of the defense once your court case begins. For example, in many cases, the defense faces restrictions on how they can use reputation and opinion evidence.
Generally, the defense has to meet stringent measures before presenting evidence. However, you may not understand all these measures if you try to handle your claim alone. Therefore, many experts recommend hiring a lawyer for legal protection.
Can a Lawyer Handle Consent Evidence During a Sex Abuse Trial?
Some sex abuse lawsuits involve plaintiffs under the age of consent at the time of the abuse. In this situation, you may have said you consented to a sex act with the defendant.
However, Michigan has a strict age of consent. If you were under this age (16) at the time of the abuse, you could not legally give consent. Your lawyer may use your age to restrict admissible evidence during your trial, which can preserve your privacy.
Can You Keep Your Friends and Family from a Sex Abuse Lawsuit?
We understand that you may want to maintain privacy even with your friends and family while handling a sex abuse lawsuit in Michigan. While you do not have to tell your close relations about a lawsuit, they may find out about the case even if you use a pseudonym.
Your lawyer may need to call on your friends and family as witnesses during your case. Their testimony about your actions and the effects on your life can play an essential role in helping your lawyer resolve your claim.
The defense may also call your friends or family as witnesses. In this situation, these individuals may get some information about your private life. However, your lawyer will take all possible steps to protect your privacy.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Can Lawyers Share Information About Your Claim?
We understand the importance of taking all possible steps to protect privacy in a sex abuse lawsuit. Therefore, our team focuses on keeping the details of your life private and treating you with respect.
Additionally, lawyers have a legal obligation to respect attorney-client privilege. Therefore, your lawyer will handle your personal information with care during and after your sex abuse lawsuit.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Can You Protect Your Privacy After a Sex Abuse Settlement?
Different areas have different requirements for disclosing information after a sex abuse settlement. In some states, you may not have to share the amount involved in the settlement, for example.
Your sex abuse lawyer can review the specific laws in your area to prepare you for the amount of personal information possibly shared after a settlement.
Speak to Us for Help with a Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Are there steps to protect your privacy in a sex abuse lawsuit? In some cases, yes. For example, your lawyer at White Law PLLC may recommend filing your claim under a pseudonym. We can discuss all your privacy options when you contact us for help.
Find out more about all aspects of your sex abuse claim by calling or filling out our online contact form.
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