A police officer responding to a domestic violence incident must complete a police report whether or not an arrest occurs. The City Attorney's Office will review the police report to determine whether or not to file charges. If charges are filed, only the prosecutor has the authority to drop them. A judge must approve the prosecutor's request to dismiss a case. The victim is a witness for the City and has no authority to drop charges. In many cases, the City will prosecute a case even if the victim refuses to testify.
The City Attorney's Office may choose not to file charges. In that event, the victim will be notified of that decision.