Q: I want to drop domestic violence charges against my boyfriend. do i need a lawyer
I told police officers that I want temporary restraining order and police officers told me to file a report. I was not aware what I was doing and I was not told or explained to me that he will go to jail and that it will be domestic violence. I thought temporary restraining order meant he won't come back home for couple of hours and no one told me about this at all. I was not informed. Next thing I know this is blowing out of the proportion and this is definitely not something I want. Can i drop charges against my boyfriend? Should I get a lawyer to help me?
A: You cannot drop the charges. Only the prosecutor can do that, and they generally do not do it when DV victims ask them to because they believe the incident occurred as reported and the request to drop it is made either out of fear or because the victim thinks the consequences are too great. You don't need a lawyer. He does.
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