Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Re: Family matter

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Once a call is made and charges are pressed, the person who originally filed the complaint loses the ability to direct what happens. The State takes over the prosecution and the case takes on a life of its own. The State can prosecute the case even if the original family member does not want to proceed. Frankly, from a practical standpoint, without the original complainant, is hard for them to be successful unless they have other witnesses or you made damaging statements to the police when they arrived.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.