Q: Do I have to prove my ex boyfriend strangled me if he says he didn't
A: If he is charged with the criminal offense of strangulation in Virginia, the totality of the evidence will have to prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that he in fact strangled you. In Virginia, "strangled" occurs when someone "impedes the blood circulation or respiration of another person by knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully applying pressure to the neck of such person resulting in the wounding or bodily injury of such person." You are not necessarily the sole source of proof. For instance, officers may have observed injuries or heard statements made by the accused. You should speak with a victim advocate in the appropriate Commonwealth Attorney's office to better understand the process.
Jessica Greenberg agrees with this answer
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