In our last post, we spoke about the importance of working with an experienced attorney to work so that weak domestic violence charges don’t make it to trial. In some cases, of course, prosecutors end up dismissing a case on their own after an investigation reveals that the evidence of domestic violence is too weak. That is what happened earlier this year with Junior Gazette, linebacker for the Washington Redskins.
Sources don’t provide much detail about Galette’s arrest, other than saying that a woman accused him and that he was arrested for domestic violence, which charge was later dismissed. We are told that the woman never pushed any criminal charges against the athlete, but that she did file a civil suit alleging three years of sexual, physical and mental abuse. The civil case was recently dismissed, though, after the woman’s attorney withdrew and left her to handle the case on her own.
Galette’s attorney said about the legal troubles, “we were confident that the frivolous civil suit and meritless criminal case would be swiftly dismissed.” Even if the charges were baseless from a legal standpoint, Galette was smart to get an attorney involved early on in the process. Attempting to handle such matters on one’s own doesn’t always end poorly, but having guidance early on can help ensure that one’s rights are protected throughout the entirety of the criminal process. In Galette’s case, having legal counsel also undoubtedly helped him to navigate the civil suit that hung over his head even after prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges.
As we’ve said before, every criminal defendant has the right to their day in court, regardless of the circumstances of their case. Working with an experienced attorney helps ensure that prosecutors do their job correctly and that the defendant puts his or her best foot forward in court.
