If a plaintiff doesn’t show up for court, do the charges get dropped?
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If a plaintiff doesn’t show up for court, do the charges get dropped?
Asked on November 17, 2014 under Criminal Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
There is no "plaintiff" in a criminal case. Do mean if the victim, or person who first pressed charges or filed a police report (which person is more properly known as the "complaining witness"). Assuming that's who you mean, then his/her failure to show *may* lead to the charges being dismised "without prejudice," but they could be re-filed later; or the case might simply be adjourned (delayed) to a later date.
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