Washington DV Press

Americans Spend One-Half Billion Dollars Each Year to Defend Against False Allegations of Domestic Violence

Ever wonder how much money Americans spend to defend themselves against false and trivial claims of domestic violence? Here’s the answer, based on conservative assumptions:

1. Number of persons named each year in a false or trivial claim of domestic violence: 2 million (1)

2. Number of persons who decide to legally contest the allegation: 500,000

3. Number of persons who incur no legal expenses (pro se representation, public defender, or other legal aid): 250,000

4. Number of persons who incur out-of-pocket legal expenses: 250,000

5. Average legal costs (including court costs): $2,000

6. Total estimated legal costs of persons falsely accused of domestic violence: $500,000,000 (2)

Conclusion: Thanks to domestic violence laws that condone and promote false allegations of domestic violence, Americans spend an estimated $500 million in legal expenses each year.

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(1) Stop Abusive and Violent Environments. Without Restraint: The Use and Abuse of Domestic Restraining Orders. Rockville, MD 2010. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/VAWA-Restraining-Orders

(2) Calculation: 250,000 persons X $2,000 = $500,000,000