What happens if the District Attorney declines charges for a family violence call?

In the context of a family violence call, when a District Attorney declines to file charges, the proper protocol for law enforcement is to document this decision formally, which involves obtaining a refusal letter from the District Attorney's office. This letter serves as an official record that charges were considered but ultimately not pursued, ensuring clarity and accountability in the legal process.

Obtaining a refusal letter helps establish that law enforcement acted appropriately in forwarding the case and that the prosecution's decision not to pursue charges was documented. This is necessary for legal consistency and can also be significant for any future incidents involving the same parties.

The refusal letter provides a clear communication of the decision made by the District Attorney, which can be utilized for administrative purposes or if further legal actions are considered in the future. Hence, having this documentation is crucial for maintaining proper legal protocol in family violence cases.