Legal Question in Personal Injury in Maryland

How can I make sure charges have been dropped

A little background for my situation: My ex-boyfriend punched a new guy that I was seeing in the face. The new guy pressed charges. He told me that he is going to drop the charges and that the only thing he has to do in order to drop these charges is not show up to see the commisoner (I assume the police commesioner)on these three dates that he is supposed to go see the commisoner and that the charges will automatically be dropped(Since the defendant has already recieved papers stateing the court date in the mail, not notorized). Is this true? Or does he have to do something else to drop these charges, if so what? And if this is true can he file charges again after they have been dropped? If so how long after they have been dropped? And my final question how long until the defendant ( My ex-boyfriend) will be notified that the charges have been dropped? Thank You so much for your your help in advance. I really did not know where else I could go to ask these questions, this is a great website.


Asked on 4/25/04, 11:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: How can I make sure charges have been dropped

Once your ex boyfriend receives a Court Date in the mail, only the State's Attorney can drop charges. Your current boyfriend, the victim of the assault, cannot drop charges, even if he wanted too. Your ex will have to go to Court on the trial date, and the States Attorney will make a decision at that time if charges will be dropped. He will take into consideration what your boyfriend requests. Assault is a jailable offense. I strongly suggest your ex hire a criminal lawyer, like myself, to help him with this matter. Waiting for the trial date in the hopes that charges will be dropped might be too late.

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Answered on 4/25/04, 2:18 pm


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