March 27, 2024

There has been much debate over whether defendants in criminal cases should talk to their alleged victims.

On the one hand, it is argued that this could be a way for defendants to gain insight into the case against them and possibly build empathy with their victim. On the other hand, this can be dangerous and open the door to more harm.

In this blog post, we will explore both sides of this debate and attempt to reach a verdict on whether or not talking to an alleged victim is a wise decision for a defendant.

Defendant

The Pros of Talking To Alleged Victims

One argument for talking to an alleged victim is that it can provide defendants with more information about their situation, which could help them build a better defense strategy.

Furthermore, if done properly and without putting any further trauma onto the victim, it may also give defendants some insight into how the alleged crime impacted their victim emotionally and psychologically.

Doing so may also help defendants understand why they were charged and provide them with an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. 

The Cons of Talking To Alleged Victims

Of course, certain risks are associated with trying to contact an alleged victim to build empathy or gain insight into their case.

Doing so could potentially cause additional harm or distress to those involved and worsen matters.

Additionally, if contact is made unintentionally or without consent from both parties, legal repercussions may follow, which could further complicate matters for all involved parties, including the defendant.

Verdict!

We believe that talking to an alleged victim should only be done in special circumstances after consultation with legal counsel who can advise on possible consequences before any action takes place.

In most cases, attempting communication between parties can cause more problems than solutions. As such, we recommend avoiding contact altogether unless expressly approved by knowledgeable legal advisors.

However, if you want to do that, then it can be held in police custody. Other than that, there are better ways to go with this option.