{"id":14948,"date":"2024-10-08T09:39:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T16:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?page_id=14948"},"modified":"2024-11-08T10:51:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T17:51:53","slug":"get-domestic-violence-case-dismissed-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/get-domestic-violence-case-dismissed-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Domestic Violence Charges Be Dropped in Arizona?"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you\u2019re facing domestic violence charges in Arizona, your first instinct may be to try to talk with your accuser. You may reason that most domestic violence cases involve close\u00a0family members<\/a>\u00a0or someone you consider very close, and the best-case scenario would be to resolve the issues without involving the courts or the police.<\/p>\n However, by the time you\u2019ve been charged with a crime, both the police and the courts are involved. Speaking with the victim or anyone else can damage your case.When faced with a domestic violence charge in Arizona, it\u2019s essential to hire an experienced and qualified\u00a0domestic violence defense attorney<\/a>. Arizona domestic violence laws are strict, and there are harsh penalties for anyone found to have committed a domestic violence crime.<\/p>\n In the heat of the moment, emotions can run high, lead to a confrontation, and a person may seek charges against an individual. However, in some cases, an individual may decide to have a change of heart. If you are charged with domestic violence or are considering dropping charges, an attorney can help you understand your rights and the potential legal avenues for dropping domestic violence charges.<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, domestic violence is not considered its own crime in Arizona. Instead, domestic violence is considered a crime under the umbrella of violent assault.\u00a0An assault charge is considered domestic violence when it occurs between two people of the same household<\/strong>\u00a0or who have a close, domestic relationship together.Although a domestic violence charge often involves two spouses or romantic partners, it can apply to a variety of domestic relationships, such as family members related by blood, two people who have a child together, or any two people who are dating or are former partners.\u00a0Arizona Statutes 13-3601<\/a>\u00a0explain what constitutes domestic violence in the state.<\/p>\n The types of crimes classified as domestic violence include:<\/p>\n As shown by this list, domestic violence can take many forms. Even an act such as preventing someone from accessing the phone in an emergency constitutes domestic abuse, even if there was no physical contact between the two parties.<\/p>\n In some cases, arguments can turn into yelling and verbal assault, which can get the cops called on you or your loved one. People can make decisions fueled by rage, jealousy, and anger when things spiral out of control. But what happens when they have a change of heart?<\/p>\n If you would like to get your or your loved one\u2019s domestic violence charges dropped in Arizona, there are certain things you need to know.<\/p>\n Only a specific party can drop domestic violence charges. Contrary to common belief, it\u2019s not simply up to the victim to decide to no longer pursue charges against the alleged perpetrator. In fact,\u00a0the party with the most power is the prosecution team<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Once an allegation is made and a prosecutor picks up the case, the charge technically comes from the state prosecution team, not the initial accuser. Because of the nature of the charge, only a select few parties can influence whether the charges can be dropped.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0ARS 13-1204<\/a>, a prosecutor has the discretion to continue with a case, even if a victim requests that the charges be dropped. A prosecutor may choose to follow through on the case if they feel that the accused individual is a threat to the community.<\/p>\n An alleged victim can influence the decision to continue pursuing a charge to some degree, but they do not have as much control as one may think. A victim does not have the power to decide whether to proceed with pursuing or dropping charges\u2014this decision lies in the hands of the prosecutor. Still,\u00a0a victim\u2019s level of cooperation with the investigation can influence the decision regarding the charges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A victim can influence a domestic violence decision in the following ways:<\/p>\n Although the victim can have an influence on the decision to follow through on pursuing charges, the prosecutor holds the final say. There are many instances where a victim may wish to drop the charges and the prosecutor chooses to continue pursuing a conviction.<\/p>\n There is no one set rubric for when charges may be dropped<\/strong>. Instead, it depends on the specific factors surrounding each unique case. Whether charges are dropped may hinge on the following factors:<\/p>\n If there is substantial evidence and severe consequences of an act of domestic violence, the chances of charges being dropped are likely to be slim. However, if there is questionable evidence around an incident and there is no strong argument that harm took place, a skilled defense attorney is more likely to be able to get the charges dropped.<\/p>\n Domestic violence charges can be dropped\u00a0at any point in the legal process of a prosecutor seeking a conviction<\/strong>. However, it is unlikely for charges to be dropped before a prosecutor carries out an investigation of the incident and determines whether there is enough information to pursue a conviction.<\/p>\n In cases where charges are dropped, it most likely happens in the following instances:<\/p>\n When charges can be dropped will depend on the specific case, the findings of a prosecutor\u2019s investigation, and the ability of a criminal defense attorney to build an opposing argument. The stronger the evidence is against the accused, the harder it will be to drop charges.<\/p>\n A domestic violence case can be dismissed in some situations, ranging from insubstantial evidence to a successful negotiation between the prosecutor and the defense. The following circumstances may be grounds for dismissal in a domestic violence case in Arizona.<\/p>\n Domestic violence charges can be dismissed if there is a lack of admissible or sufficient evidence. The prosecution\u00a0needs to be able to prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt<\/strong>. If there\u2019s insufficient evidence to prove that the accused is guilty, the prosecution may decide to drop the charges to avoid a not-guilty verdict.<\/p>\n If an accuser hopes to drop domestic violence charges, this is the most common grounds for dismissal. If an accuser rescinds their statement or refuses to testify, then this often leaves a significant lack of evidence or a hole in the case.<\/p>\n Other evidence may include 911 call transcripts, medical records, photographic evidence, or eyewitness testimony. Without these pieces of evidence, there is a much higher likelihood of a domestic violence case either being dropped or being struck down in court.<\/p>\n A victim may want to drop the charges, but this doesn\u2019t get the case dismissed right away. The case can still move forward even if the victim refuses to testify. However,\u00a0a victim or third-party witness who recants or changes their story can make it challenging for prosecutors to prove their case<\/strong>, which can lead to a dismissal of charges as a result of a lack of evidence.<\/p>\n Someone is considered an uncooperative witness if they fail to recount some or all the facts of the incident, fail to avail themselves during depositions or downplay the impact of the incident. Guilt, fear, and embarrassment are other reasons why an alleged victim may be considered uncooperative.<\/p>\n There are mitigating factors that can result in dropped charges by demonstrating that an act was not intentional or malicious. These factors call into question the legitimacy of the charges and can sometimes result in dropped or dismissed charges.<\/p>\n Mitigating factors can include:<\/p>\n Negotiating with the prosecutor could help have an impact on dropping charges. A\u00a0successful negotiation between the defense and the prosecution could result in dropped charges in lieu of alternative penalties<\/strong>. For example, a criminal defense attorney can negotiate a deal where the prosecution drops the charges, but the defendant must attend court-ordered anger management classes.<\/p>\n Even if the prosecution does not drop charges entirely, a negotiation could still result in a more favorable outcome for the defendant. For example, the prosecution team may offer a plea deal and seek to convict the defendant with a lower jail sentence or fines in the place of jail time in exchange for a guilty verdict.<\/p>\n Once charges are placed against an alleged perpetrator,\u00a0it is not simple to walk them back without strong due diligence<\/strong>. There are challenges in getting charges dropped regardless of the incident that led to the charges being placed in the first place. The following challenges can complicate the process:<\/p>\n If you believe you have been wrongfully charged with domestic violence, you should seek the support of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Only an experienced attorney understands how to navigate the legal system and what legal avenues they may be able to pursue for a defense. Our\u00a0criminal defense attorneys<\/a>\u00a0at JacksonWhite Law will provide you with a free case review during an initial consultation so we can begin building the best possible defense strategy.<\/p>\n Arizona has harsh legal consequences for domestic violence. A domestic violence charge falls under the same umbrella as violent crime, so the legal consequences would be similar. As a violent crime, domestic violence and battery have strict, lasting consequences. Still, the consequences can vary based on the specific case, as they depend on the nature of violence and its impact on the alleged victim<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Consequences of domestic violence may be worsened, for example, if the victim was pregnant at the time of the incident, if a weapon was used, or if the defendant has prior convictions.<\/p>\n Consequences of a conviction may include:<\/p>\n Of course, every case is different. If you are faced with domestic violence charges, it\u2019s important to consult an attorney about the penalties you may be facing and how to combat them.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that there are also legal consequences for false domestic violence claims, which fall under the umbrella of harassment. According to\u00a0ARS 13-2901.01<\/a>, a false allegation can be punishable by a class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona, which can result in a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $2,500 penalty.<\/p>\n Arizona domestic laws can get complicated, so choosing to tackle domestic violence cases without the support of an attorney can be especially challenging to navigate. At the same time, it will be extremely difficult to combat a prosecution team looking to pin you with harsh charges on your own. It\u2019s therefore essential to consult an experienced\u00a0criminal defense attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n A knowledgeable attorney may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed. A good lawyer will assess your case, examine the facts, and determine the best defense strategy.<\/p>\n All together, an attorney can support you in the following areas:<\/p>\n Between the above advantages, contacting an attorney is the best way to increase your chances of receiving dropped charges. Because a criminal defense attorney has experience with such cases in the Arizona legal system, they will be the best possible resource for navigating the legal process.<\/p>\n Domestic violence charges can only be dropped in specific circumstances, such as a lack of evidence or an uncooperative witness, due to the strict nature of Arizona domestic violence laws. Whether these charges can be dropped also lies in the hands of the prosecutor who can decide either to pursue a conviction or drop the charges entirely. If you\u2019ve been charged with domestic violence, it\u2019s crucial that you seek the support of a skilled criminal defense attorney to help you increase your chances of dropped charges.<\/p>\n Our team at JacksonWhite Law can help you navigate the legal system and create a defense strategy against your charges. With decades of experience in criminal defense, we have helped countless clients combat charges put forth against them. We provide our clients with a free initial consultation and case review so that we can find the best path forward for each case.<\/p>\nWhat Constitutes a Domestic Violence Charge in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
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Who Can Drop Domestic Violence Charges?<\/h2>\n
Can Victims Influence the Decision?<\/h2>\n
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Factors That Impact Whether Charges Are Dropped<\/h2>\n
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When Can Charges Be Dropped?<\/h2>\n
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Grounds for Dismissal in Domestic Violence Cases in Arizona<\/h2>\n
Lack of Evidence<\/h3>\n
Uncooperative Witness<\/h3>\n
Mitigating Factors<\/h3>\n
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Negotiation with the Prosecution<\/h3>\n
Challenges in Getting Charges Dropped<\/h2>\n
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Legal Consequences of Domestic Violence Convictions in Arizona<\/h2>\n
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The Role of a Domestic Violence Attorney<\/h3>\n
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Navigate Domestic Violence Charges with JacksonWhite<\/h2>\n