and protected by law. Mr. Nichols is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist. When you call our New York office your conversation is specifically protected by law.
If you are located in New York, do you have anyone to help me in my locations?
We are a national consulting firm prepared to be in your location within 24 hours if required. While we are affiliated with professionals around the country, we want every client to know that we attempt to use the appropriate staff to assist you on the basis of talent and experience not geography.
The author of this book and founder of our firm, Edward Nichols, will be involved in your case. Most often he will do your initial consultation, and where appropriate, he will travel to your jurisdiction. It is not our goal to provide the “easiest” service, but rather, we aim to provide the most effective possible service within your budget.
When should I call Nichols Consulting?
At the earliest possible stage. As soon as you find out that you are accused is the best time.
It is much more effective to prevent costly errors than to correct them. Call as soon as possible.
I have just found out I’m accused and the social service people will be coming over, what should I say to them?
Tell them that you have nothing to hide because you have done nothing wrong, but you wish to retain an attorney who will contact them.
Do not answer any questions. Politely end the conversation.
The police told me they want to interview me. I’ve done nothing wrong. Shouldn’t I cooperate?
Absolutely not. Hire an attorney. Do not speak to the police unless your attorney is present?
Innocent people often feel that since they have nothing to hide, all they have to do is tell the truth, and the police will drop the matter. Nothing could be further than the truth. Every time you speak to a police officer or investigator you are making a new witness who may someday be in court testifying against you. Police and other investigators have been known to testify to a version of the “facts” you never heard before!
What kind of cases does Nichols Consulting help with?
While most of our cases involve criminal charges, we also help in family court and other civil cases.
We are also retained to prevent criminal charges when investigations are being conducted.
In the last four years we have began accepting appeal cases where defendants have been falsely convicted of child sexual abuse.
We also assist in cases where social services has “founded” or “indicated” a case and a person wishes to have his name cleared.
If you have any questions regarding a particular kind of situation, simply give us a call.
I’m just not sure if my case is going right, what can you do to help?
We can give you peace of mind and a detailed game plan of how to proceed. We call this a case assessment. Here’s how we do it: First we interview you and review all of your documents. Usually we will then make a trip to your jurisdiction to meet you, your attorney, and all other appropriate individuals. Mr. Nichols will usually do this assessment, with a Nichols Consulting attorney, if appropriate. Our trip to your jurisdiction will usually be 23 days. By the end of the trip we will make an assessment that will include: An appraisal of the current defense team and suggestions for enhancement if appropriate; the formulation of an initial theory of the case; an initial strategy development; an analysis of the current evidentiary issues; and analysis of appropriate investigative issues; an analysis of witness statements, reports, and/or video or audio taped statements.
You will have the peace of mind and assurance of knowing what has been done, and what must be done, to maximize the likelihood that you will prevail.
How much does a case assessment cost?
The cost of a case assessment will vary depending on your case, your location, and the number of consultants involved. Simply call Nichols Consulting to get an estimate. Please know that our services are designed to be within the reach of the vast majority of those falsely accused. We even accept major credit cards! In most cases our services will actually cut the costs of your overall case. For those who have used the services of Nichols Consulting the question became: How could we afford not to use the national expertise of Nichols Consulting?
Beyond the case assessment, what other services does Nichols Consulting provide?
We assist your defense counsel with every phase of litigations. This may include: Analysis and assistance with the various motions that need to be put before the court; assistance in the cross-examination of adverse experts and factual witnesses; assistance in the cross-examination of the alleged victims[s]; securing and preparing defense experts and rebuttal witnesses; preparation of your witnesses; legal and mental health research; assistance in the preparation of opening and closing statements; jury selection; and other services that may be appropriate.
Remember, our consulting firm practices exclusively in the area of false allegations of child sexual abuse. We hit the ground running and efficiently and effectively form a winning team!
Do you provide expert testimony?
In the vast majority of cases we participate in, our assistance in cross-examining the state’s expert is all that is necessary. Besides saving you substantial funds, turning the state’s expert into yours is very effective.
When experts are required, Nichols Consulting is able to arrange for an appropriate and effective expert.
Occasionally, our founder, Edward Nichols, will agree to provide expert testimony. Though he is retired from providing expert testimony, he will agree to testify where [a] no other appropriate expert many be secured; [b] and failure to provide expert testimony is likely to result in a false conviction.
I was told that there are tests that I can take that will prove that I am innocent and the state will drop the charges. Shouldn’t I take these tests?
Sadly, no such tests exist, however, there is an industry that has emerged that attempts to persuade the falsely accused that these tests will solve their problem.
Think about it, if there were indeed such a test, based upon science, we wouldn’t need courts, all we would have to do is administer the test.
That is why so-called lie detector tests and other alleged sex abuse tests are not admissible in criminal courts.
For more information, call Nichols Consulting.
The Principles of Successful Representation
"Hysteria" may be defined as a wild outbreak of feelings that greatly exaggerate reality. With respect to the subject of allegations of child sexual abuse, it is my opinion that a certain measure of "hysteria" exists among child protective agencies, the courts, and a significant segment of our population. As a direct result of this hysteria, innocent parties are found to have perpetrated the sexual abuse
