Sci-Fi: A man is forced to remain on earth and cant go with his family to settle a new planet/ YA

[Chris]

Im looking for a book I read in school. Its about a man who tries to assist a woman being assaulted and through the incompetence of the local authority is listed as the assailant in the report. Because of this he is unable to leave with his brothers family to settle a new world. He later ends up in or starting a small colony or farm where he reconnects with the girl from the encounter. The colony/farm are made up by people trying to survive in a world where mostly criminals remain. I read this some time between 1994 and 1999.

[[deleted user]]

Cover details?

[Chris]

Unfortunately I don’t remember any of the cover details.

[Rainbowheart]

Are you sure this is YA?

It sounds like the MC is a grown man.