How to Press Criminal Charges

In the United States everyone has the right to file a complaint against another person for abusing their rights or their person. This complaint can lead to having the local law enforcement to taking out an arrest warrant for the person. If they will not do so you can still file civil charges against the person.

• Call the local authorities. The crimes could be anything such as assault, fraud, burglary, murder, slander and many more. The local law enforcement will check out the details of the crime. If they think it necessary they will file the charges or report it to the district attorney’s office to determine if there is a cause to file charges. It is possible they could reject the case altogether.


• If they reject the case altogether you may need to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator. Should that happen you need to hire your own attorney who will make sure the police and courts do all they can to protect you as the victim and your rights. You should get police reports and medical reports to bolster your case and have proof of your claims. You will have to submit your case and wait for the legal process to work its way through the system. A good lawyer will greatly aid in this procedure.


• Once the charges reach the legal system the defendants can either throw themselves onto the mercy of the prosecution or have a trial. At the trial the victim and the prosecutor will have to present their case and the defendant will as well. If the defendant is found guilty depending on the charges they will have to pay fines and or go to jail.