In Washington a person can be charged with domestic violence if an assault occurs within the home. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of these laws and use them to launch unfounded accusations against innocent people. In some of these situations it simply comes down to one party against the other and the false charges become difficult to fight.

A recent example of this type of accusation took place in Bellevue earlier this month when a female claimed that running back for the Seattle Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch was involved in an assault and damage of physical property that took place in her home. Police issued a statement saying that, while no arrests were made, Lynch was a suspect in the case. Lynch has a history of minor criminal offenses such as a DUI arrest and possession of a fire arm. However, he has not demonstrated a history of violence nor domestic assault.

After an investigation, police found that no domestic violence was involved and that Lynch was not actually involved in the case. Luckily, no charges or arrest had been made prior to this discovery. Not a lot of information has been released about the details of the case or why the victim named Lynch as the perpetrator. Sometimes, charges of domestic violence are alleged in cases of divorce or child custody in order to damage the other person's reputation. If Lynch was arrested in this case, he could have faced jail time, fines as well as suspension for even dismissal from the Seahawks.

False claims of assault or domestic violence are dangerous because they can damage lives and lead to added obstacles for real victims. A domestic violence charge is a very serious offense and, depending on the situation, can even be charged as a felony in Washington. When facing a domestic violence charge, suspects should speak with an experienced attorney to learn more about their rights. In some cases a suspect who has not even been convicted can be subject to a no contact order that could prevent them from returning to their home or seeing their children without supervision.