misconduct/compromised witness

[hurting]

Jurisdiction

Florida

hello, i would like to ask something that has been troubling me for months now... i am the victim of domestic violence battery. i was so traumatized from my injuries—- spine injury, nerve damage, messed up pelvis, other mental afflictions.. that it was hard as a victim to obtain all of my medical records myself. i thought we could ask for the courts or let the prosecutor on the case know if we were struggling. i was being traumatized all over again. i plead with them to subpoena my medical records for me but they said they did not want to spend the money on me. they didn't care about witnesses early on and later on when i tried to find out who the neighbor was that let me call 911 i found that it was the defense attorney.

i see it as a conflict of interest that he would be allowed to work this case seeing as he is getting paid to work against me even though he saw that i was distressed enough to let me call for help.. so i tell the prosecutor what i found and they didn't seem bothered by it, but soon after i tell them this the defense lawyer's address has changed out of his name to his wife's business so i had to click on there where it lead to an instagram page with his last name attached to hers. i feel like the timing was too much to be just coincidence. the prosecutor from the very beginning of this case said my ex would never see jail time and that they were more interested in the defense's demands.

they even revoked their interest in receiving my victim impact statement even though i had just gotten the form for it emailed to me.. they told me, both the victim advocate and prosecutor not to worry about how the criminal case was handled and to just get therapy and go for a civil suit... thing is i had asked for advice from another lawyer a few months back and they told me it did indeed seem shady and they were shocked they didn't submit my medical records, saying my injuries warranted a felony.

i'm just trying to find justice and see that this case is handled properly, my ex was given a DPA that barely makes him held responsible for what he truly did... who would i go to about all of this? i hope there is someone i can converse with to reopen the case so it is accurately represented.

while trying to get evidence for the 911 call and told someone who worked at the sheriff office what happened, told me to contact the detective about it but i couldn't get to them because someone else called back instead and was very dismissive.

i really need help. this injury has changed my life forever and i can't do what i used to anymore. it brings me to tears and is very painful. i have screenshots to prove the before and after of the defense covering up.. i'm so determined and heartbroken i'll do anything, even a polygraph.. though i don't know if those are typically admissible.

 

[army judge]

Talk to a few local attorneys and see if one will represent you.

You can also speak to a battered women's shelter or other groups that assist female domestic abuse victims.

 

[adjusterjack]

There isn't anything you can do about the prosecution of the crime except to be available if the authorities want you for testimony.

Consult a personal injury attorney about a civil lawsuit. Consultations are free and cases are often taken on a contingency where you don't pay anything unless the attorney wins money for you. If an attorney takes your case, the attorney will get your medical records.

 

[Zigner]

Army Judge - you and I have had our difficulties in the past, so please don't take this post the wrong way - I don't mean it as snarky or as any sort of attack

The OP in this thread appears to be the victim in a criminal case. For clarification, is your suggestion for the OP to retain an attorney based upon the OP having a viable civil claim against the perpetrator, or will the attorney also be able to help prod the prosecutor down the (morally & legally) correct path?

EDIT: I suspect it's both...

Talk to a few local attorneys and see if one will represent you.

 

[army judge]

Army Judge - you and I have had our difficulties in the past, so please don't take this post the wrong way - I don't mean it as snarky or as any sort of attack

The OP in this thread appears to be the victim in a criminal case. For clarification, is your suggestion for the OP to retain an attorney based upon the OP having a viable civil claim against the perpetrator, or will the attorney also be able to help prod the prosecutor down the (morally & leally) correct path?

EDIT: I suspect it's both...

To see what options exist.
If any.

 

[hurting]

thank you all for the responses. it really hurts to be dealing with all of this on my own. domestic abuse shelters will not give out recommendations for lawyers and can only give help when it comes to obtaining a protective order, which is already in place for me. i have been contacting attorneys about it, but will include the new information next time i speak to one if it would make a difference.

due to me being in the dark and rather unknowing of how the law works i was never really introduced to a detective on this particular case. i recently found out i was not approved for victim comp for my physical injuries, just mental. the prosecutor never submitted them and this is devastating because the spinal damage had me going for MRI scan, physical therapy, medication etc it's thousands and thousands of dollars and will continue for some time. i was told by a worker of the attorney general to contact police to amend the charge so... i've had difficulty and resistance from the front desk police saying we don't have an attorney general which is confusing. saying how they don't mess with charges and to take it to the prosecutor—- but the prosecutor does have all of this evidence now, they just wanted to rush the case and in doing so the initial ER visit that was right after the attack wouldn't be available to help put together all the subsequent doctor visits relating to the area.. i was finally connected to leave a detective a message, so here's to hoping for some justice. if a police report is amended to include more facts will there be a possibility of it reopening in court?

 

[justblue]

Have you been in contact wit a victim/witness advocate?

 

[army judge]

it really hurts to be dealing with all of this on my own. domestic abuse shelters will not give out recommendations for lawyers and can only give help when it comes to obtaining a protective order, which is already in place for me. i have been contacting attorneys about it, but will include the new information next time i speak to one if it would make a difference.

Let's see if we can point you in the right direction.

There is help out there, you just have to be pointed in the right direction.

In addition to Victims Comp, many other government and nonprofit organizations in Georgia offer assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of violent crimes.

Here are additional ways to identify resources:



1. Find a 2-1-1 information and referral service

2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people in Georgia and elsewhere find local resources .

They maintain the most comprehensive database of community services available. Click here to find a 2-1-1 service near you, or dial 2-1-1 from your phone to speak to a referral specialist.



2. Call a hotline

Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-334-2836

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia: 800-244-5373

Compensation is handled at the state level. To find another state program, visit the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards website.

===============================================



Helpful Organizations for domestic violence victims:


Home

http://www.raksha.org/

EVERY NINE SECONDS a woman is beaten in the United States. | Partnership Against Domestic Violence

- GCADV.org

Casa de Esperanza

http://www.gcfv.org/

http://www.breakthecycle.org/

http://www.ahimsahouse.org/

http://www.nomore.org/

http://www.tapestri.org/

http://www.menstoppingviolence.org/



CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
104 Marietta Street NW, Suite 440
Atlanta, GA 30303

for victims = http://crimevictimscomp.ga.gov/for-victims/

toll free (800) 547-0060
phone (404) 657-2222
fax (404) 463-7652
email = victims.info@cjcc.ga.gov

website = https://cjcc.georgia.gov/

Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council WILL KEEP YOU POSTED once you contact them and ask for help!!!!!

 

[hurting]

Have you been in contact wit a victim/witness advocate?

i have tried to get in touch with the one for the county but no reply.. but i have a bad feeling about the whole situation, since the people i'm having trouble with have deep ties to the community. the victim advocate on the case was also telling me not to submit my victim impact statement... it really hurt.

Let's see if we can point you in the right direction.

There is help out there, you just have to be pointed in the right direction.

etc

Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council WILL KEEP YOU POSTED once you contact them and ask for help!!!!!

thank you so much for the links and numbers!! unfortunately the case is based elsewhere so i'm not sure how much GA can help, but i really do appreciate it.

i was advised to contact the bar association over this, as it seems i'm getting resistance from others at the state attorney's office.. and even another lawyer got involved to end the case early and dispose of evidence after i tried calling to try to talk to the supervisor there, which i never was able to...

out of desperation i wrote to the judge to let them know crucial evidence was never submitted and asked if it may be reopened. they acknowledged it and stamped it with signature/date and wrote "noted" on it. is it alright if i go ahead and provide the evidence myself in a letter to the judge? with copies of my med. recs and doc notes? after a quick search online it says not to do this, but due to how i was treated by the prosecutor i'm not sure if they would do their job after how i was mistreated and talked down to...

 

[Zigner]

i have tried to get in touch with the one for the county but no reply.. but i have a bad feeling about the whole situation, since the people i'm having trouble with have deep ties to the community. the victim advocate on the case was also telling me not to submit my victim impact statement... it really hurt.


thank you so much for the links and numbers!! unfortunately the case is based elsewhere so i'm not sure how much GA can help, but i really do appreciate it.

i was advised to contact the bar association over this, as it seems i'm getting resistance from others at the state attorney's office.. and even another lawyer got involved to end the case early and dispose of evidence after i tried calling to try to talk to the supervisor there, which i never was able to...

out of desperation i wrote to the judge to let them know crucial evidence was never submitted and asked if it may be reopened. they acknowledged it and stamped it with signature/date and wrote "noted" on it. is it alright if i go ahead and provide the evidence myself in a letter to the judge? with copies of my med. recs and doc notes? after a quick search online it says not to do this, but due to how i was treated by the prosecutor i'm not sure if they would do their job after how i was mistreated and talked down to...

It is improper to send information straight to the judge.

 

[hurting]

It is improper to send information straight to the judge.

hmm... how am i supposed to go about this if the prosecutor on the case worked against me and has belittled me? every time i've tried to speak to a supervisor or other higher up i'm met with resistance by other people who work there.

 

[Zigner]

hmm... how am i supposed to go about this if the prosecutor on the case worked against me and has belittled me? every time i've tried to speak to a supervisor or other higher up i'm met with resistance by other people who work there.

The prosecutor is not your attorney. You need an attorney of your own.