If someone pressed charges for theft by unlawful taking against you but then proceeded to commit suicide will the case be dropped?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If someone pressed charges for theft by unlawful taking against you but then proceeded to commit suicide will the case be dropped?
If someone pressed charges for theft by unlawful taking against you but then
proceeded to commit suicide will the case be dropped?
Asked on March 11, 2017 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The case *may* be dropped--it depends on whether the prosecutor feels that there is enough evidence or testimony to convict without the testimony of the deceased. A criminal case is not like a civil case: the victim of the crime is not in control of a criminal case, the way someone injured in, say, a car accident is in control of his or her lawsuit and is the one bringing the lawsuit. Rather, the victim is essentially a witness to the crime. His or her testimony is obviously very valuable, but it is not necessary if there is enough other evidence or testimony (e.g. from other witnesses)--or even a confession or incriminating statements from the accused--that the case can be proven. So if the prosecutor feels that he can proceed without the deceased, he may; but if he feels that the deceased's testimony was necessary, he is likely to dismiss rather than pursuing a losing case.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The case *may* be dropped--it depends on whether the prosecutor feels that there is enough evidence or testimony to convict without the testimony of the deceased. A criminal case is not like a civil case: the victim of the crime is not in control of a criminal case, the way someone injured in, say, a car accident is in control of his or her lawsuit and is the one bringing the lawsuit. Rather, the victim is essentially a witness to the crime. His or her testimony is obviously very valuable, but it is not necessary if there is enough other evidence or testimony (e.g. from other witnesses)--or even a confession or incriminating statements from the accused--that the case can be proven. So if the prosecutor feels that he can proceed without the deceased, he may; but if he feels that the deceased's testimony was necessary, he is likely to dismiss rather than pursuing a losing case.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.