Lifestyle

What Should You Do If You’re Falsely Accused of a Crime?

Published

4 years ago

July 4, 2021

Being falsely accused of a crime can feel terrible – and put you in danger of losing your freedom over something you didn’t do. There are many ways this can happen. A vindictive coworker might imply that you committed some form of criminal negligence. A stranger can claim you assaulted them. Or a police officer might pull you over for some traffic violation you didn’t commit.

In any case, there are a set of steps that can help you clear your name and navigate the complexities of the legal system.

Remain Calm, Patient, and Compliant

If you know you’re being falsely accused, you may feel stressed, threatened, and uncertain about your future. In these circumstances, it’s easy to allow your emotions to get the better of you and make a reckless choice.

However, it’s important to remain as calm, patient, and compliant as possible. If you’re calm, you’ll be able to think through your situation rationally and come to more logical decisions. If you’re patient, you’ll be able to deal with the weeks-long waits you may have to face as you navigate the legal system. And if you’re compliant with police officers, you’ll face fewer complexities – and eliminate the possibility of additional charges like resisting arrest.

Stay Silent When Possible

For the most part, it’s not a good idea to talk to the police about the crime by yourself. Police officers aren’t your friends, no matter what they may tell you. They’re not looking out for your best interests, and it’s completely legal for them to lie to you.

During your arrest and subsequent interrogations, officers will likely ask you questions and prod you to get as much information as possible. If you say anything even remotely self-incriminating, they can pick up on that and use it against you. Even if you’re innocent, your words may accidentally serve as a confession to the crime – or you may commit to another crime unknowingly. On top of that, if you’re answering lots of questions back to back, you’ll run the risk of contradicting your own story – which is not a good look.

It’s well within your rights to avoid answering questions until your lawyer shows up. It’s the safe move to stay quiet.

Hire a Lawyer as Soon as Possible

If you’re accused of something you didn’t do, it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as you can. Your lawyer will be a professional familiar with the legal system, so they can guide you to make the smart decisions and defend yourself to the best of your ability. They’ll have your best interests in mind, so you can talk to them openly and devise a strategy together.

Your lawyer may advise you to handle police questioning in a certain way or make a certain plea. They can help observe the arrest process to ensure it’s done within the boundaries of the law. And of course, they can fight for you in court if the case ever gets that far.

Without a lawyer, you’ll have no external authoritative guidance to help you prepare a case and defend yourself. You may be more likely to incriminate yourself, and your chances of escaping impending charges will be much lower.

Gather Your Own Evidence

Your lawyer may also advise you to start gathering your own set of evidence you can use to defend yourself, such as:

Photos. Are there photos that prove the extent of the damages or show that you weren’t in a certain place at a certain time?
Videos. Do you have any recorded videos of what happened? What about surveillance footage and other videos from third parties?
Receipts, writings, and timestamps. Can you find things like receipts, text messages, emails, or other documents with timestamps that prove things that occurred or didn’t occur?
Witnesses. Do you have any witnesses who saw the situation unfold? Are there people who can testify about your whereabouts or even your character?

Defamation and Malicious Prosecution

If you’ve been cleared of a crime and you believe the accuser was specifically trying to harm your character, you may have a defamation lawsuit on your hand. These cases can be tricky since you’ll need to prove libel or slander, but if you’re successful, you can win damages from your false accuser to compensate you for your expenses and suffering along the way.

Being falsely accused of a crime can be demeaning, stressful, and downright frightening at times. But as long as you remain quiet and cooperative, and you hire a good lawyer, you’ll have a good chance of defending yourself successfully and proving your innocence.

Stay patient and trust that your legal strategy will prove the truth in court.

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

6 days ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.