What can happen if my boyfriend was just involved in a bar fight with another man who will be pressing charges?
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What can happen if my boyfriend was just involved in a bar fight with another man who will be pressing charges?
He was not arrested at the scene and cops were present immediately. The fight was very short and ended soon with minimal damages and injuries. His name and his side of the story was taken by the cops but then they told him he could leave. What is the worst that is going to happen? Can his employer be notified about this if he was never arrested?
Asked on July 5, 2015 under Criminal Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
1) If the other man presses charges, then what could happen will vary from nothing--if the case is dismissed by the prosecution (if they feel it's not worth trying; i.e. no real crime was committed), or at trial by the judge (if the judge feels that a crime was not proven)--up through probation and/or a fine and/or community service, up through (possibly) some amount of jail time. It depends on the facts--who started the fight? where there any objects that could be used as weapons involved?--and the extent of the other person's injuries. Generally, if the other person started it, there were no weapons, and the other person's injuries were slight, you're looking a minor consequences, if any; if your boyfriend started the fight, used a weapon (including a bottle or pool cue), or inflicted moderate or severe injuries, you could possibly be talking about jail time. If charges are pressed, your boyfriend should hire an attorney.
2) Your boyfriend's employer will not automatically be notified, but charges are of public record, and people (like the other man) may disclose or report public records, so it's possible they could become aware of this.
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