Domestic Violence: Pre-filing Representation

Pre-filing Representation refers to the work the attorney does on a case between the time of the arrest of the client and the Prosecutor filing charges in court. Often times there is a week or less in which to contact the Prosecutor to discuss a “non-file” in a Domestic Violence case. A non-file is where the Prosecutor decides NOT to file formal charges, despite the client having been arrested and given a court date by the police. Mr. Bruzzo has contacted the Prosecutor’s office many times prior to the filing of a Domestic Violence case and submitted additional evidence for the Prosecutor to consider. Generally, that evidence is a statement from the victim indicating that she/he does not desire prosecution and/or explaining facts that may have been left out of the police report. Sometimes this evidence can cause a non-file or at least additional investigation which may lead to a non-file. Domestic Violence cases usually only involve statements by the client and the victim, and in the heat of the incident inaccuracies, omissions or untruths may be included in the police report. Revealing these problems in the evidence at the critical time while filing is being considered, may lead to a non-file, which is the absolute best result a client can hope for post-arrest. An example of this is when a victim omits having initially attacked the client, despite suffering worse injuries. When cooler heads prevail the victim may be willing to admit this truth, which of course offers a complete defense (self-defense) for the client. Pre-filing representation on a Domestic Violence case is one of the tools Attorney Will Bruzzo uses to get the optimal result for his Domestic Violence Clients.

Call Orange County Domestic Violence Lawyer Will Bruzzo for a free consultation on your case at (714) 547 4636.