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Wondering how to press charges on someone?
In this article, you’ll learn about:
Let’s dig in.
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When someone says they want to “press charges,” they’re expressing a desire to have another person prosecuted for a crime.
Essentially, it means that the person believes they have been wronged in a legal sense.
And they want the alleged offender to face legal consequences.
Here is an overview of what pressing charges means:
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Pressing charges means formally accusing someone of a crime.
Here’s how to press charges on someone:
Yes, someone can report a crime or “press charges” without immediate proof.
Often, people come forward with allegations before evidence is gathered.
However, for a prosecutor to successfully convict someone in court, they need evidence to prove the accused person’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Simply pressing charges doesn’t guarantee a conviction.
The legal process involves:
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When it comes to charging someone with a crime, the amount of evidence required varies based on jurisdiction and the nature of the offense.
In general, to charge someone, law enforcement officers and prosecutors look for what is termed “probable cause.”
Probable cause means there’s a reasonable belief, based on clear facts or evidence, that a person has committed a crime.
It doesn’t prove the person’s guilt but indicates a legitimate reason to believe they might be guilty.
Here’s a breakdown to simplify this:
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Pressing charges is a way for someone to alert the authorities that they believe a crime has been committed against them.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what happens when you press charges:
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If you press charges on someone, you may not have to go to court.
When someone is wronged or believes they’ve been a victim of a crime, they might consider “pressing charges.”
This means they’re reporting the incident to the police and asking them to investigate.
If you press charges on someone:
Pressing charges can take anywhere from a few days to several months or longer.
It depends on various factors like:
Here’s how long each step of pressing charges takes:
When people talk about “pressing charges,” they often refer to initiating a criminal case against someone.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with pressing charges:
In summary, reporting a crime and having charges pressed usually doesn’t cost the victim anything.
But, there could be indirect expenses, like hiring a private attorney or addressing the personal impacts of the crime.
Here are other questions our clients ask about pressing charges on someone.
No, you don’t need a lawyer to press charges. Here’s how it works:
However, if you want personal legal advice or consider a civil case, hiring a lawyer is a good idea.
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Here are some things to consider to determine if it’s worth pressing charges for assault:
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Yes, you can press charges on a minor.
When a minor commits a crime, they can face legal consequences.
However, the process is different than for adults.
Minors typically enter the juvenile justice system, not the adult court system.
Punishments focus more on rehabilitation than punishment.
Examples include community service, counseling, or juvenile detention.
Remember, the decision to press formal charges lies with the prosecutor, not the victim.
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If you are trying to press charges on someone, fill out the form on this page.
Our criminal attorneys have the experience you need to defend your rights.
This way, you don’t:
You deserve a fair trial in the criminal justice system.
Our law firm can provide you with that.
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