Question about false accusation? Get free advice!

Questioner

My husband was accused of child abuse about 20 years ago. He served 3 months for it. the accusation came from his sister who claimed that my husband abused her child. now the girl who it supposedly happened to, who is now a grown woman, has contacted us and admitted that it never happened. she was made up by her mother and her mother's boyfriend to tell the police a completely made up story. my husband's life has been ruined. what can we do to clear him of all blame. is there anything that can be done about it anyway since it was 20 years ago.

Lawyer

It is possible to file a request for review with the Supreme Court (the highest court in the Netherlands) due to the presentation of a new fact (also called novum). A review procedure will then follow at the Supreme Court, after which the settled case may be retried in its entirety, in which the previous conviction of your husband may still end in an acquittal. This is possible at any time, because there is no limitation period for this. It is best to submit this to a lawyer who has experience with review procedures. He or she can advise you further on the possibilities.

Questioner

super thanks for the quick response. then I have another question. my husband's niece told us on the phone that it never happened what we are afraid of now is if we start a case and that niece is threatened by her mother and she withdraws how strong will we be then?

Lawyer

Was that phone call recorded? What is important is that you can prove what she said. I advise you to get your niece's statement in writing with her signature on it. If you think she doesn't want that, I advise you to call her again so that she tells you the correct story again by telephone and that you record that conversation. With that you can then go to the police and still report a false report. The matter is too serious to let rest. If you need legal assistance, I will be happy to help you.

Questioner

super thanks for the quick response. then I have another question. my husband's niece told us on the phone that it never happened what we are afraid of now is if we start a case and that niece is threatened by her mother and she withdraws how strong will we be then?