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Crime & false accusations

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We are all worried about the crime figures. However, another very disturbing phenomenon these days, is the increasing number of false allegations, and in some cases even mistaken convictions. Have you ever been accused of a crime you didn't commit? What crime was this, and what do you think was the reason behind it?
Have you ever been falsely accused of a crime?
yes
no
If your answer was yes, what crime was this? (Multiple answers are possible)
incest
pedophilia
child abuse (battery)
child neglect
rape
statutary rape
indecent assault
sexual harassment at work
stalking
assault (non sexual)
murder
arson
shoplifting
theft from someone you knew
theft or fraud at work
social security fraud
income tax fraude
insurance fraude
a serious traffic offence
posession of illegal drugs
dealing in illegal drugs
drugs smuggling
something else
Were the police involved?
yes
no
Did the police believe you were innocent?
yes
no
they weren't sure
Did the case go to court?
yes
no
If the case reached the courts, did this result in a conviction of some kind?
yes
no
Did you have to spend any time in prison as a result of this case?
yes
no
Who accused you of the crime?
my (ex) wife or husband
my (ex) girlfriend or boyfriend
my child
someone I had a date or one night stand with
a family member
a neighbour
a friend or acquaintance
a colleague
the police - they were doing a routine check and decided I was suspicious
the police - a crime had been committed and they picked me out as a suspect
someone else
I'm not too sure, but I have my suspicions
I have no idea - it's anybody's guess
Why do you think you were probably accused of this crime? (Multiple answers are possible)
I was having problems with child custody during or after a divorce
Revenge or jealousy - I had had a row or conflict with my (ex) partner
Revenge or jealosy - I had had a conflict with the person I had a date with
It was a case of mistaken identity - I resembled someone who had really committed a crime
The accuser had made a mistake, and thought I had really committed a crime
Jealousy/agression - I was having problems in work - colleague wanting revenge
Ruthless ambition - colleague trying to get me out of the way
Conflict or business economics - boss looking for an excuse to fire me
General nosy interference - neighbours / aquaintances imagining and reporting a crime
Jealousy / general dislike - neighbours or aquaintances inventing and reporting a crime
Someone had been hoping to blackmail me and it hadn't worked
Another reason not mentioned here
I have no idea why I was accused of this crime - it's anybody's guess
Did you take any action against the accuser(s) - such as a report to the police, a court case, lawsuit for damages etc.?
yes
no
How do you feel towards the person who falsely accused you? (Multiple answers possible)
I would like to knock his/her @#$%#%$ block off.
this person still scares the s**t out of me
angry
hurt
shocked
confused - I thought we were friends, and then...
vengeful - I want to pay them back for what they did
I can understand why they did it, but still feel it was hitting below the belt
I was able to forgive this person
they made a mistake - anyone can do that - I understand
irritation - if people would mind their own business a lot of trouble would be avoided
I don't feel any particular emotion towards this person
I don't know who accused me, but I still feel very emotional about it
I don't know who accused me, so this question isn't applicable
something else
Did you ever have any contact with the accuser after the false report?
yes
no
If you later had a confrontation with the accuser what happened? (Multiple answers possible)
they still keep insisting I committed a crime
they initially believed I commited a crime but now aren't sure
they initially believed I commited a crime but now realise I am innocent
we were able to talk things out to some extent
they explained why they acted as they did
they apologised
the meeting escalated to a row
the meeting was awkward but polite
something else
It is illegal to make a deliberate false accusation or report of a crime. What do you think should happen to people who do this? (Multiple answers are possible)
they should receive a prison sentence equal to that usually given for the crime they invented
forced community service - preferably in a prison
a fine - paid to the state - for wasting the time of police & courts
hefty damages paid to the victim of the invented crime
the punishment should be proportional to the amount of trouble caused to victim & authorities
people who invent crimes are sick and need to visit a psychiatrist
people who invent crimes have problems and help and understanding should be given
a national register should be made for people who have made false accusations in the past
something else
This poll was created on 2004-03-21 05:48:06 by Ella