Q: My sister is filing a criminal complaint against me, how likely is it that I will appear in court?
For the last few years, my mentally ill (she is schizo-affective) sister and my aging father have lived with me. My father does not get along well with my sister, but for most of the time we've been together, things have not gotten violent. Recently, my sister was kicked out by my father for having attacked him with a can. She drew blood from his lower lip. He did not file a complaint with the police, and a few days later he allowed her to come back. At one point, another fight broke out, and I intervened to try to relax things. I did not make any verbal threats, but at one point in the situation, my sister became very belligerent towards me and was screaming at me. Fearing that she would become violent, I pushed her over and restrained her, while my father called the police. She eventually agreed to calm down and the police were not called. I have learned she is filing a complaint, claiming that I threatened her and assaulted her. How likely am I to have to appear in court? Thanks.
A: If she files a complaint against you, either you or your lawyer, or both, will have to appear in court, regardless of the validity of the charge.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
