Recently Sarah Jones has been in the spotlight because of accusations of sexual misconduct. Jones was a teacher in Kentucky while also a professional football cheerleader for the Bengals. She was accused of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old student while in a position of authority over him. She had been in the media before, when a website (TheDirty.com) slandered her name, saying she had had sex with all members of the Bengals Football team. Eventually Jones’ plead to a lesser charge, giving up her fight prematurely, likely in part because of the mainstream view of her as a sex kitten. In looking only at the public facts of the case, it can be called into question whether or not Jones’ was in a direct position of authority over the victim at the time the alleged crime was committed.

The public is always quick to judge the accused, but the case seems more severe for a teacher. The public has easy access to photos of Jones dressed in a provocative way: in her Bengal’s cheerleader uniform which emphasizes her cleavage and her toned mid-section. When the public sees a woman dressed in such a way who is in a position of authority over children, they immediately assume guilt without asking for any more information. In Sarah Jones’ case, it has even led to jokes that she is the “female Sandusky,” which she vehemently denies. When public opinion is stacked so hard against you, it can make a case seem impossible to win. In Sarah Jones’ case, it meant pleading to a lesser charge because both the victim and the victim’s family denied she had done anything wrong. When the media takes control of the story, it never allows for the accused to speak out in their own defense. If this has happened to you, understand that you are not alone and your case can be won. Look for a lawyer who is not afraid to take your case to trial and who will stand up for your side of the story.

Links

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/former-cheerleader-sarah-jones-bengals-female-sandusky-_n_1727967.html
2. http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_21731936/nfl-ex-cheerleader-sarah-jones-pleads-guilty-sex
3. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000078627/article/sarah-jones-excheerleader-pleads-guilty-to-sex-with-student
4. http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-bengals-cheerleader-sarah-jones-20121009,0,581598.story
5. http://abovethelaw.com/2012/10/ex-bengals-cheerleader-who-took-a-plea-deal-on-sexual-misconduct-charges-is-now-considering-law-school/#more-198078