I work with a lot of clients who are charged with a crime as a result of a neighbor dispute - something that seems like it should be handled privately ends up in a courtroom. Just because the other neighbor is lying or not telling the whole truth if a police officer writes a report, the prosecutor may charge you with a crime.
Just because there's a charge, it doesn't mean you're guilty of anything, but what are your options. You can take the case to trial and have the neighbor testify, and you can win or lose. A loss means a criminal record, probation and possibly jail. You don't want to live next to this neighbor while on probation as they will be looking for anything to try to violate you. If you win the trial, the neighbor may be even more fired up to try to get you the next time. What about resolution? Do you want to empower that neighbor by resolving the case, and paying even a civil fine? That's up to each client to select how to resolve, but the most important things are the following
- Avoid a criminal record
- Avoid jail
- Avoid probation
- Avoid additional civil liability beyond the case at hand
Ultimately I tell clients that if someone is falsely accusing you of a crime and they live ten feet from you, there's no possible good outcome down the road. You may love your home and feel like you should not have to move, but if they aren't going to move, are you going to live in fear and paranoia for the rest of your life? Clients resist this advice until the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time - don't let things get out of control - make the long-term adult choice to remove yourself from the situation.
Just because there's a charge, it doesn't mean you're guilty of anything, but what are your options. You can take the case to trial and have the neighbor testify, and you can win or lose. A loss means a criminal record, probation and possibly jail. You don't want to live next to this neighbor while on probation as they will be looking for anything to try to violate you. If you win the trial, the neighbor may be even more fired up to try to get you the next time. What about resolution? Do you want to empower that neighbor by resolving the case, and paying even a civil fine? That's up to each client to select how to resolve, but the most important things are the following
- Avoid a criminal record
- Avoid jail
- Avoid probation
- Avoid additional civil liability beyond the case at hand
Ultimately I tell clients that if someone is falsely accusing you of a crime and they live ten feet from you, there's no possible good outcome down the road. You may love your home and feel like you should not have to move, but if they aren't going to move, are you going to live in fear and paranoia for the rest of your life? Clients resist this advice until the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time - don't let things get out of control - make the long-term adult choice to remove yourself from the situation.