Q: Can I press charges on the man that molested my daughter in a different state???
My daughter was molested at the age 12 by a 21 year old man and we moved to a different state when she decided to tell me.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Yes, you can press charges against the man who molested your daughter, even if you’ve moved to a different state. The crime occurred in another state, and that state’s law enforcement would typically be the ones to handle the investigation and prosecution. However, you can report the abuse to the local authorities in your new state, and they can work with the police in the state where the crime occurred to begin an investigation.
You should contact law enforcement in the state where the abuse occurred and provide them with all the details. You may also want to consider reaching out to a victim’s advocate or legal professional who can guide you through the process and help ensure that the case is properly handled.
It’s important to act quickly, as there are statutes of limitations that vary by state for prosecuting crimes like this. Reporting the abuse as soon as possible increases the chances of holding the perpetrator accountable. Your daughter’s safety and well-being are the priority, so it’s crucial to take action as soon as you're able.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
