A False Accusation Is Still a Criminal Charge

When it comes to domestic violence allegations in Washington, the state moves fast. If someone calls the police and alleges abuse, chances are almost certain someone is getting arrested – it is the safest bet for law enforcement. Once the process starts, it rarely slows down.

Assault Charges in Washington: How Prosecutors Build Their Case

Even if the accusation was false.

Domestic violence charges come with immediate consequences—jail time, no-contact orders, weapon restrictions, professional fallout, and public embarrassment. If you’re the one accused, none of that feels temporary. It feels like your reputation and your freedom are under attack.

False accusations happen more often than people think. Arguments spiral, emotions run high, and one phone call changes everything. The court doesn’t know who’s telling the truth. That’s not their job. Their job is to prosecute the charge and try to protect against the unthinkable and the inevitable headlines that will follow.

Why False Allegations Happen

Not every false domestic violence allegation is made with malicious intent. But many are. We see them come up in situations like:

  • A breakup or divorce turns hostile
  • One partner wants to gain advantage in a custody dispute
  • Retaliation after infidelity or financial stress
  • Substance abuse clouds memory or judgment
  • Misunderstandings during heated arguments

In some cases, it’s a flat-out lie. In others, it's a moment that gets mis- or reinterpreted, exaggerated, or reframed after the fact. But in all cases, the system responds the same way. It really has little choice.

What Happens After the Arrest

Once an arrest is made, everything accelerates:

  • You’re removed from your home
  • A no-contact order is issued
  • You may lose access to your children
  • You will lose your firearms rights, at least temporarily
  • Your name is in the public record

Even if the person who made the accusation wants to recant, they can’t just undo the charge. In Washington, the prosecutor controls the case. If they want to proceed, they will.

This is where your defense begins.

How We Challenge False Accusations

We don’t rely on sympathy. We rely on facts, timelines, and inconsistencies.

  • We look for text messages, social media activity, and voicemails that contradict the story.
  • We subpoena 911 calls, police body cam footage, and witness statements.
  • We push back against vague or inconsistent reports.
  • We show the court the context that led to the call—not just the accusation.

And we always prepare for trial. Because the fastest way to get a false charge dismissed is to show the prosecution you’re ready to beat it in court.

Understand That the Prosecutor Isn’t Going to Slow Down

Washington prosecutors take domestic violence seriously. They assume victims won’t cooperate or might recant. They often push forward with limited evidence, hoping the defendant takes a plea just to end the matter and get on with their lives.

That’s why you need a defense team that doesn’t flinch.

  • We don’t wait for the state to build its case—we start building yours
  • We anticipate no-contact order violations and take steps to avoid them
  • We work with family law counsel if custody issues are involved

When the case is based on emotion, we bring facts. When it’s based on leverage, we strip it away. When it’s based on nothing, we expose it.

Take the First Step to Reclaim Your Life

It’s a simple formula: the sooner you respond, the more we can do. We’ve helped hundreds of clients fight back against charges that never should have been brought. If this happened to you, don’t wait. The court isn’t going to pause to figure it out.

Call Knauss Law today. Let us tell your side of the story—before it gets decided without you.