Whether it’s a spouse or a family member, people who love each other
sometimes do not get along. Sometimes, an argument can quickly turn into
a physical altercation at the heat of the moment, which may cause the
victim, another loved one, or a neighbor to contact the police.
In many cases, both parties regret their actions and attempt to mitigate
the damage. In fact, the victim may ask the courts to drop the charges
against the alleged aggressor.
However, only the State Prosecutor’s Office has the power to drop
domestic violence charges—not the victim. As soon as law enforcement makes an arrest,
the crime is out of the victim’s hands and the state is the only
entity with authority to press or drop charges.
The main reason is that domestic abusers often have emotional or financial
control over their victims, who can be afraid of losing their main source
of income or even pressured by their aggressors to drop the charges in
hear of retaliation. In other words, those who are involved in an abusive
situation are often forced to make decisions against their will.
If a misunderstanding resulted in the arrest of your loved one, the first
step is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney—not the
same one that represents your spouse or family member. If you are asked
to testify in court, your lawyer will help you shine a positive light
on your loved one to either get the case dismissed or reduce the charges
he/she faces.
For more information about domestic violence cases in Daytona Beach,
contact the Law Offices of Robert Stepniak today.