Despite what you may have seen on TV, victims of crime do not have the power to decide whether or not charges are pressed against an alleged criminal. If a police report has been filed and reaches the district attorney’s office, the victim does not have the authority to drop the charges.
The Role of the District Attorney
When a crime is committed in Georgia, it is considered to be a crime against all citizens of our state. This is why it is not up to the individual victim to press or dismiss charges in a criminal case. It is the district attorney’s job to prosecute those who commit crimes against Georgia citizens, and the district attorney alone has the power to dismiss charges before reaching trial.
Assistant District Attorney
The Chatham County District Attorney’s office employs several assistant district attorneys who assist in processing and trying criminal cases. If you are a victim of a crime and have concerns about your case or would like to discuss dropping the charges, you may contact the assistant district attorney who is assigned to your case.
Victim-Witness Assistance Program
If you are a victim or a witness in a criminal case and have concerns, you may also call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program, which is run by the Chatham County District Attorney’s office.
More about Dropping Charges in Chatham County
To learn more about having charges dismissed in a Chatham County criminal case, contact the attorneys of The Turner Firm in Savannah.