Los Angeles Domestic Violence Attorneys: Can Domestic Violence Charges Be Dropped?
It is a common misconception that the person reporting the domestic violence charges has the right to decide whether or not to press charges. Once the police get involved it is no longer in the complaining party’s control. Instead, it is now up to the prosecutor to decide whether or not the case goes to jury trial. The testimony of your partner or the individual claiming domestic violence can be very important to your case. Where the complaining party does not wish to prosecute, it is important that you retain an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to help you because he/she may be able to speak to the prosecutor to prevent the filing of the case in the first place. Even if the witness is unavailable for trial, his or her statements that were made to the police or the 911 operator at the time of the incident may be admissible in court - even if the complaining witness wants to drop the case.
This is an exception to the normal “hearsay” rules governing testimony that is admissible in trial. “Hearsay” refers to any statements that are made outside of the court but are brought into the court as evidence of the alleged claim. California Evidence Code Section 1240 allows for statements made outside of court by the complaining party to be admitted in court as evidence so long as he/she was describing the events that he/she was viewing or experiencing at the time the statement was made. This would include 911 calls made at the time of the incident. California also has a “fresh complaint” hearsay exception which allows any statement to be admitted into court as evidence that is regarding a complaint made by your partner or the person claiming domestic violence. This does not include any responses given to questioning, but it would typically include the initial statement of complaint made to the police. These statements can be used against you as evidence to the offense that was allegedly committed. However, experienced criminal lawyers understand how to argue against these exceptions being used - which is why it is imperative that you obtain professional legal assistance.
Our domestic violence attorneys in Los Angeles have over 50 years experience defending charges including violations of California Penal Code Section 243(e) and 273.5 — all battery and violence charges including misdemeanor and felonies arising from domestic abuse claims.
Source: Law Blog