A dismissal happens earlier in the court process for a variety of reasons. A dismissal is sometimes referred to as having the charges dropped. A dismissal occurs when:. There are several reasons that a defense attorney can petition the court for a dismissal. If the police made the arrest without probable cause or conducted an unlawful search and seizure, then that is grounds for a dismissal.
The criminal process can, often times, be confusing. If you or a loved one is charged with a crime, it is important that you understand all the possible outcomes. Call Puglisi Law at to schedule a consultation and discuss your federal or state criminal defense needs. Sign up to receive important legal updates and information right in your inbox!
Does Acquittal Mean Not Guilty? Other Causes for Acquittal While being found not guilty is an acquittal, there are other reasons that a court may acquit.
Partial Acquittal If a defendant is charged with multiple crimes, a partial acquittal is possible. Dropping and dismissing a charge are two different things. A prosecutor or arresting officer can decide to drop a charge brought against a defendant — or perhaps reduce the charge to a lesser offense — perhaps even before the charge is formally filed. It may be due to lack of sufficient evidence or discovering new evidence or testimony which contradicts the arrest.
Contrary to popular belief, the victim in a criminal case cannot decide to drop a charge. Beyond these measures, a defendant may also accept a plea bargain or seek a mistrial.
Indeed, there are many ways a case can be resolved which may benefit the defendant. You should engage a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer to look for reasons why that should happen and then present them to the prosecutor or judge. Just remember: The difference between an acquittal and a conviction is huge, and your future may be at stake.
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