CanI drop charges against a defendant for simple battery?
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CanI drop charges against a defendant for simple battery?
The police arrested a family member for simple battery. I reported to the police that this person hit me and left marks. Can I drop the charges if I have forgiven this person and moved on.
Asked on September 30, 2011 under Criminal Law, Georgia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If you filed a criminal charge against a person for assualt and battery, you can request that the criminal complaint that you asserted be dropped by the district attorney's office. However, you need to be aware that the district attorney's office in your and all other states in this country represents the "people."
Meaning, the district attorney's office is under no obligation to dismiss the criminal complaint that you asserted against a family member simply because you want it to be dismissed. The district attorney's office has an obligation to protect the citizens of your state and county and it has the discretion to pursue the criminal action or dismiss it.
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