Can the Police Charge You Based on Someone Else’s Statement?

Whether it’s a neighbor, former partner, angry ex-friend, or total stranger, a criminal accusation made to police can result in arrest, charges, and even trial. But it doesn’t mean you’re automatically guilty—or that the case can’t be fought.

Here’s what you need to know about how statements work in criminal investigations and how a criminal defense attorney can help you fight back.

Yes, You Can Be Charged Based on Someone’s Statement Alone

In Pennsylvania, police and prosecutors can charge someone with a crime if they have probable cause—a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred and the person accused committed it. A single statement from a witness or alleged victim may be enough to meet this standard.

For example:

• A partner claims you hit them → You may be charged with simple assault

• A neighbor says you threatened them → You may be charged with terroristic threats

• A store employee says you stole → You may be charged with retail theft

• An ex accuses you of stalking → You may be charged even without physical evidence

This can feel overwhelming—but it’s only the start of the case, not the end.

Will the Statement Hold Up in Court?

Not necessarily. While a statement may lead to charges, the prosecution still has to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Your attorney can challenge:

✅ The credibility of the person making the statement
✅ Any bias, motive, or inconsistencies in their version of events
✅ Lack of supporting evidence (no photos, injuries, texts, or eyewitnesses)
✅ Police failure to investigate further or verify the story
✅ Violations of your constitutional rights during arrest or questioning

In many cases, weak or uncorroborated statements result in dismissal, reduction of charges, or not guilty verdicts.

Can Anonymous Tips or Hearsay Lead to Charges?

Anonymous tips may lead police to open an investigation, but they generally cannot be the sole basis for charges unless they’re supported by:

• Surveillance footage

• Physical evidence

• Corroborating witnesses

• Confession or incriminating behavior

Hearsay—a statement made outside of court by someone not testifying—typically cannot be used as evidence at trial unless it falls under a legal exception. Your lawyer can move to exclude unreliable or inadmissible statements from your case.

What If the Person Later Recants Their Statement?

If the accuser changes their story or admits to lying:

• Your lawyer may file a motion to dismiss the case

• The prosecution may still pursue the case using the original statement (depending on other evidence)

• The accuser may be charged with false reports to law enforcement

But in domestic violence cases, it’s common for alleged victims to later recant, which doesn’t always lead to dropped charges. Prosecutors may still move forward if they believe the original accusation was credible.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Protects You

If you’ve been charged based on someone’s statement:

✅ Your lawyer will demand access to all evidence and police reports
✅ Investigate the background of the accuser
✅ Expose inconsistencies and credibility issues
✅ File motions to exclude hearsay or irrelevant testimony
✅ Present your side of the story clearly to the judge or jury
✅ Fight for dismissal, reduced charges, or acquittal

Never assume the case is unwinnable just because of an accusation—many of these cases fall apart under scrutiny.

📞 Contact Mark D. Hauser, Criminal Defense Attorney, Today

If you’ve been charged with a crime based on someone else’s statement, don’t face it alone. With over 30 years of experience defending clients in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, Mark D. Hauser knows how to challenge weak accusations and protect your freedom.

📞 Contact Mark D. Hauser, criminal defense attorney, today for a confidential case evaluation.