I was vacationing at a house rented in Ocean City, Maryland, celebrating a friend's 21st birthday. I am 21, and some there were of age and some were under 21.
I had been away from the house all night, with the birthday boy and others of legal age at the clubs. A couple minutes after getting back to the house (I was not very intoxicated because I had to take care of the birthday boy), this kid comes up to me claiming I said something bad about him. I tried to calmly inform him I said no such thing, and next thing I know he sucker-punches me and I'm on the ground bleeding. My lip, teeth, and jaw were damaged, so when I got back to NJ I sent him and his parents a registered letter (they live in NY) letting them know what happened and that when medical bills come I expect them to pay.
This is where the alcohol and drug issue comes in. I received a letter back claiming that I provided him with both alcohol and marijuana, neither which are true. The only alcohol I purchased the entire time was one six pack of beer that I consumed myself over two days, and there was marijuana but it was not mine. I did not smoke nor did I bring it into the house. They are saying that if I don't pursue this anymore they will not make those charges against me.
There is no evidence of me providing either (except for the word of his friend who was the only one in the area he punched me at and would say anything). Both the providing alcohol and marijuana are simply his word against mine, unless his friend decides to lie for him.
Is it worth progressing with this, or is it possible that even in a his word against mine situation I may still lose and be charged with these offenses? I cannot afford either a providing alcohol to minors violation or providing drugs to a minor due to my possible future career. It's unfair that although I was attacked by a drunk minor without any provocation, I am being threatened with false charges if I pursue this.
I had been away from the house all night, with the birthday boy and others of legal age at the clubs. A couple minutes after getting back to the house (I was not very intoxicated because I had to take care of the birthday boy), this kid comes up to me claiming I said something bad about him. I tried to calmly inform him I said no such thing, and next thing I know he sucker-punches me and I'm on the ground bleeding. My lip, teeth, and jaw were damaged, so when I got back to NJ I sent him and his parents a registered letter (they live in NY) letting them know what happened and that when medical bills come I expect them to pay.
This is where the alcohol and drug issue comes in. I received a letter back claiming that I provided him with both alcohol and marijuana, neither which are true. The only alcohol I purchased the entire time was one six pack of beer that I consumed myself over two days, and there was marijuana but it was not mine. I did not smoke nor did I bring it into the house. They are saying that if I don't pursue this anymore they will not make those charges against me.
There is no evidence of me providing either (except for the word of his friend who was the only one in the area he punched me at and would say anything). Both the providing alcohol and marijuana are simply his word against mine, unless his friend decides to lie for him.
Is it worth progressing with this, or is it possible that even in a his word against mine situation I may still lose and be charged with these offenses? I cannot afford either a providing alcohol to minors violation or providing drugs to a minor due to my possible future career. It's unfair that although I was attacked by a drunk minor without any provocation, I am being threatened with false charges if I pursue this.
