What is the name of your state? Virginia
I was recently robbed at my home by a "friend" (his age: 20) whose family I have known for years. He called before he came, rang the doorbell to my apt, appeared at the door, innocently enough greeted me when I opened it, then he proceeded to strike me, throw me down, then put me in a chokehold as two masked accomplices entered, one with a bat, one with a handgun. They led me to cash kept in my room, and made off with a large sum of money in addition to my handgun which they encountered while rummaging through my room. They left, and I called the police, and filed all the standard paperwork. This includes statements, police report, photo lineup, etc., and what I remember is a few "sign here" papers whose content basically equated to "..this means you want to press charges.. you promise to appear in court, promise to cooperate in full.. etc." Now, just days later, he's been arrested, on a college campus, with a handgun (police haven't told me whether it's mine). In Virginia there are stringent minimum sentences for illegal guns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Exile). I've spoken repeatedly with the perp's family, and, while no party feels he should go unpunished and that I should go without the satisfaction of seeing him punished appropriately, we think the 20 yr (minimum) sentence facing him is a bit extreme, taking into account his age, and the view of his robbery as some complete mental breakdown whose source the family must determine and resolve. Further, I am not much older than him, and can comiserate regarding the pressures when you surround yourself with a crowd brainwashed by the prospect of instant gratification.
Now I've read the highly frequent "punish him!!!!" respones here that are clearly evident in my 5 minutes of browsing for any related existing posts before creating this thread, but, if we put that talk aside for second, I am more so seeking strict ( free =) ) legal advice, not personal/emotional advice, as I am very satisfied with the 5 year minimum sentence imposed by Project Exile (presuming the gun he was caught with was not mine.. otherwise.. if it was my gun.. the below question may complicated by this development)
THE QUESTION IS... In this type of case (armed robbery/aggravated assault/theft/burglary/use of firearm in comish of felony/and whatever else u all can think of) and in light of the documents I signed which promised cooperation, am I legally able to formally drop my charges against him without legal consequence (misdemeanor charge and/or arrest, or otherwise unreasonable detainment for questioning, general maltreatment by police).What is the name of your state?
I was recently robbed at my home by a "friend" (his age: 20) whose family I have known for years. He called before he came, rang the doorbell to my apt, appeared at the door, innocently enough greeted me when I opened it, then he proceeded to strike me, throw me down, then put me in a chokehold as two masked accomplices entered, one with a bat, one with a handgun. They led me to cash kept in my room, and made off with a large sum of money in addition to my handgun which they encountered while rummaging through my room. They left, and I called the police, and filed all the standard paperwork. This includes statements, police report, photo lineup, etc., and what I remember is a few "sign here" papers whose content basically equated to "..this means you want to press charges.. you promise to appear in court, promise to cooperate in full.. etc." Now, just days later, he's been arrested, on a college campus, with a handgun (police haven't told me whether it's mine). In Virginia there are stringent minimum sentences for illegal guns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Exile). I've spoken repeatedly with the perp's family, and, while no party feels he should go unpunished and that I should go without the satisfaction of seeing him punished appropriately, we think the 20 yr (minimum) sentence facing him is a bit extreme, taking into account his age, and the view of his robbery as some complete mental breakdown whose source the family must determine and resolve. Further, I am not much older than him, and can comiserate regarding the pressures when you surround yourself with a crowd brainwashed by the prospect of instant gratification.
Now I've read the highly frequent "punish him!!!!" respones here that are clearly evident in my 5 minutes of browsing for any related existing posts before creating this thread, but, if we put that talk aside for second, I am more so seeking strict ( free =) ) legal advice, not personal/emotional advice, as I am very satisfied with the 5 year minimum sentence imposed by Project Exile (presuming the gun he was caught with was not mine.. otherwise.. if it was my gun.. the below question may complicated by this development)
THE QUESTION IS... In this type of case (armed robbery/aggravated assault/theft/burglary/use of firearm in comish of felony/and whatever else u all can think of) and in light of the documents I signed which promised cooperation, am I legally able to formally drop my charges against him without legal consequence (misdemeanor charge and/or arrest, or otherwise unreasonable detainment for questioning, general maltreatment by police).What is the name of your state?