2007-02-20 05:21:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
In modern law, contrary to the myths and rumors, it has absolutely no legal significance. Individuals cannot file criminal charges--that is the job of the prosecuting attorney. Individuals cannot dismiss charges--that also is the job of the prosecuting attorney and/or the judge.
Once a prosecuting attorney has information regarding a criminal offense, whether from the police or an individual, the prosecutor will decide whether or not to file an accusatory pleading. You cannot force the prosecutor to do so, and you cannot prevent the prosecutor from doing so.
That said, the policeman in the field has a lot of discretion as to what kind of matters should be pursued further. Sometimes police officers will ask individuals if they want to "press charges." What they are really asking is whether the individual is concerned enough about the matter for the police to take a report and give it to a prosecutor. Thus, while the decision of the individual to "press charges" or not is of no real legal significance, it may influence how a policeman in the field handles a matter.
2007-02-20 08:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means that you are under oath formally accusing someone of a crime, after that the police will investigate and if evidence is found to support your accusations they'll ask the court for a warrant to arrest that person and take it to trial. If you don't "press charges" nothing happens.
But some serious crimes don't need you to "press charges" because the state is bound to do it even if there is no one to press charges. For example if you get shot, or raped, even if you don't want to press charges, the state (police and the court) will press charges against the person who did it, you are the victim and a witness and they can force you to help even if you don't want.
2007-02-20 05:36:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means to formally charge someone with a crime. If you do, it becomes record and that person may be arrested, or will have to face a judge for those charges, depending on the crime. If you don't press charges, the accused person is not held responsible for any crime.
2007-02-20 05:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by Bakem 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To press charges means that you are filing a legal, criminal complaint against another individual. When you press charges, the person that you press charges against (accuse of a crime against you) will have to come to court to defend against your charges.
If you do not press charges, then nothing happens.
2007-02-20 05:27:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you "press charges" that means that you go to the police and say that another person has committed a crime and you want them arrested for it. If you sign it they get arrested if you dont then they dont get arrested.
2007-02-20 05:24:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
to press charges you are asking the law to take action against someone who commited a crime on you if you do it they can be charged with the crime if found guilty. if you don't you are letting this person get away with the crime
2007-02-20 05:25:31 · answer #6 · answered by jezbnme 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Filing charges against someone means that you want them arrested for something they done to you which is a crime.
2007-02-20 10:30:45 · answer #7 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go talk to a local pd or go online to check it out
2007-02-20 05:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by Laura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a Lawyer. He or she can explain this in detail for you!!!!
2007-02-20 05:36:16 · answer #9 · answered by terry l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋