Who is responsible for pressing charges in domestic violence cases?

• A. The district attorney
• B. The police officer on scene
• C. The victim alone
• D. The judge

Answer: (A)

The person who decides to file criminal charges is the prosecutor, typically the district attorney. After an incident, police investigate and may arrest if there’s probable cause, but it’s the district attorney’s office that reviews the evidence and determines whether charges should be filed and what charges to pursue. The victim can report the crime and may advocate for prosecution, but they do not unilaterally press charges. The judge’s role is to oversee the case once charges are filed, not to initiate charges. So the district attorney is the one responsible for pressing charges.