If my granddaughter hit me and now I have to go to court over it, what happens if I just don’t show up?
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If my granddaughter hit me and now I have to go to court over it, what happens if I just don’t show up?
I called the police the date she hit me and she got arrested. Now 4 months later, somebody from State Attorney’s Office called me. She is a victim’s counselor and told me that I have to go to trial this Friday. However, I can’t take it without pay and I want to dismissed the charges. Will I get in
trouble if I don’t go since I am the victim?
Asked on June 7, 2016 under Criminal Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
If you have not been subpoenaed, you will not get in trouble (yet) and they may dismiss the case. However, if they instead decide to adjourn, or reschedule it, to another date and subpoena you for that date, if you do not show in response to a subpoena, you could be punished by the court, including potentially jail time.
You can ask for the matter to be dismissed, which request the prosecutor may honor (since you are the victm)--but the prosecutor is not required to honor a request to dismiss and can proceed with the case even over the victims's objections and can compel the victim to appear and testify with a subpoena.
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