Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

The government is the plaintiff in a criminal case. Do you mean the victim?

Either way, a criminal case isn't some do-it-yourself project you can handle with a little advice over the Internet.

Contacting the prosecution or the victim could backfire, and your attempt to "settle thing on its own" could lead to witness intimidation charges.

Let a professional handle this. The defendant needs a lawyer. If he can't afford to hire his own, the judge will appoint one when he goes to court.

The plaintiff in a criminal case is the People of the State of California. They are represented by the prosecutor, which is a district attorney for felony cases, and a city attorney for misdemeanor cases, and in some rare occasions, the Attorney General.

The prosecutor generally does not talk to defendants or their attorney, outside of court, and only for matters relevant to the proceeding.