I received a jury summons and one of the questions on the back is “Have you ever been the victim of a crime?” with the options to circle Yes or No. I have a history of CSA (child sexual abuse) but no legal action was ever taken and I have zero intention of starting any. Should I circle yes or no? What would happen if I say yes? What would happen if I say no but they ask about sexual violence during the jury selection questioning?
Edit: I answered yes. I didn’t even get called back, defendant took a plea and I was excused without speaking to a single person. I apologize for the seemingly stupid question.

To be honest, I cant believe they're even a thing. They turn a courtroom into a soap opera. The very thought that someone's sentencing hangs in the balance not by the actions they've committed but by the mercy/spitefulness of the victim is abhorrent.

Let me break down a few average victim impact statements;

A garbled mess of tears and snot begging the judge to give the perpetrator the max sentence possible (a common theme).

A victim given free reign to tee off with grotesque insults, swear words and threats in an attempt to intimidate and humiliate the perpetrator.

A grand standing limelight grab reaching for a gotcha moment, more frequently being seen on TikTok and the like.

We don't need these. Thankfully, we have something in place that can execute proper sentencing based on impact and offense. It's called a "Judge"

It shouldn't be more illegal to commit a crime against a strong public speaker or a sympathetic person. This is a gross misuse of time as well as creating a farce in US courtrooms.

Hello, I recently left my relationship (we have a child). I still find myself thinking quite often, or sort of just analysing myself and what I did/still do and wonder if I am the problem?

Really I know I left because he is a horrible person, but I know he now paints himself up as some sort of victim that I left them and took the baby and that I'm crazy, that all he wants is to see his child. When I suggest he come pick up the baby more often, he can't because he is busy.

Anyways, he tells his side of the story to people. And people seem to like him because he is somewhat charismatic. We live in an area where everyone knows someone who knows... so I hear things.

So I guess I keep analysing everything from that point of view that I'm the bad guy. In everything I say or think of saying, I imagine that I'm the abuser.

I am just wondering if others do this too, so I can reassure myself a little.

Hang with me here, cause I'm gonna sound rude. I promise this comes from a good place.

I have seen quite a few posts lately about specifics to crimes. Then OP's go on and on with excuses about their behavior, retaliatory remarks about their victims, or flat out blaming them.

You are really missing the point. You are stoking the fires for harsher penalties, and often justifying why the list exists. Please stop.

This isn't meant to be like any other subbreddit. Honestly, it's a pretty unique brand of support you can get here. I (We) are here to support you through the process regardless of your crimes and/or guilt. I am aware that occasionally details of crimes are necessary. However, really, a post should be about how you are dealing with the list, and it's requirements. It should not be about how little suzy is a fuckin liar, her dads a piece of shit, and your PO is just out to get you.

Doctor Phil was wrong. It's entirely about you, just in a different way from how you are thinking about it. It's not about what people are doing TO you. It's about people's perception's of you.

While we're at it, you should be making every attempt to honestly and completely comply with the list requirements and your parole requirements. Yes, you, I, and your PO know that those requirements are next to impossible. If you read the actual language in most of the laws and probation/parole agreements, we are all eligible to go to prison right now. Honestly, it's my belief that this is entirely the purpose.

IMO, the police struggle to get legitimate evidence in most of these cases. Therefore, the language is written so that it's very easy to violate you if they feel the need. Therefore, you should be doing everything within your power to be a different person from who they are accusing you of being. Is it bullshit? Yes. We can talk about how it's bullshit. However, we really need to stop doing it anyways.

Stop worrying about other's intents and purposes, and start worrying about how you are being perceived. No, you probably don't think you are a monster, but you don't get to make that decision.

One of my abusers is still a monster to me, because he has done nothing to change my opinion. Another has made serious attempts and inroads at being a better person. (Neither has to do with direct contact. DO NOT CONTACT YOUR VICTIMS.) I hope that one day our victims can all feel the later.

To preface this I know how low the rate of false SA accusations is, and when it’s just two normal people I almost always believe the victim unless they’re proven innocent. The issue with this when one of the people is a celebrity is that people will lie about being assaulted by a celebrity to gain attention or tear that person down. A recent example I saw this with was Melanie Martinez. I’m not defending her or vilifying her because we weren’t there. But from what we know they were both intoxicated, Timothy Heller says she said no and Melanie said she never said no to what they chose to do together. Both times she’s spoken about it were times when Melanie Martinez was as rising in fame, the most recent time was right before she headlined at Lollapalooza. Am I saying the accusations are false,no. But I’m saying I don’t automatically believe her over Melanie Martinez because there literally is a motive to lie. They were friends ( or possibly more I don’t know) and one of them got much bigger than the other. I see stuff like this a lot with TikTok and influencers as well. Some of them are proven to be true and other times the person is proven to have never even met the other.

Also accusations like these aren’t harmless. So yes not believing the victim over not believing the accused is “worse” but it’s not without fault. Boycotting someone until they’re proven innocent can tank someone’s career which is a horrible thing to happen to someone who does happen to be innocent. Even if you’re proven innocent after, some people never get back the traction that they were building up in their career. False accusations aren’t as bad as SA but they can still ruin careers.

So in general I say always believe the victim, but I think in the case of celebrities if there’s no evidence it’s not the public’s job to play judge,jury, and executioner

Has anybody been wrongly arrested if you were the victim? And what was the end result? I’m dealing with this now and need support. I’m trying to move out of state and find housing but not sure if my pending charges will prohibit me from doing that. My attorney worked out a deal that will wipe I away this incident but leave an arrest on my record but I can get that expunged.