Bodily Injury Lawyer Assault Allegation No Prosecution

The client and a close friend spent the evening at the client’s apartment after work. 

The friend briefly stepped outside to smoke, and moments later, a loud noise echoed through the hallway. 

When the client checked, he discovered the friend had slipped and fallen on a stair landing, complaining of pain but showing no signs of intentional harm. 

The client assisted him back inside.

However, another resident, hearing the noise and seeing the injured friend, mistakenly believed a physical altercation had occurred and called the police. 

This misunderstanding formed the basis of the assault allegation.

The lawyer documented that the client and the reported victim maintained a positive relationship both before and after the incident. 

They shared long standing friendship, had no history of conflict, and continued interacting normally following the accident. 

The injured friend also submitted a statement affirming that he never believed an assault occurred and did not want charges pursued. 

These details supported the argument that intentional harm was inconsistent with the nature of their relationship.

The bodily injury lawyer examined medical observations and images of the fall related injuries. 

The friend’s abrasions were consistent with slipping on a stair edge not with a blow or intentional strike. No evidence suggested forceful contact by another person. 

This alignment between the injuries and the account of an accidental fall undermined the suspicion of assault under D.C. Code § 22-404.

The caller who notified police later acknowledged that she reacted out of fear and did not witness any physical contact between the two men. 

The lawyer collected a sworn statement demonstrating that the reporting party only heard noise and made assumptions. 

This clarification significantly weakened the evidentiary foundation for criminal charges.

The lawyer ensured that the client provided a detailed, consistent account of events from the start of the investigation. Statements from the friend, along with physical evidence from the stairwell and apartment hallway, aligned with the client’s version. 

This consistency increased credibility and assisted prosecutors in assessing the case accurately.

This case shows how quickly an accidental event can be misunderstood as criminal conduct under District law, especially when bodily injury is involved. 

Early involvement of a bodily injury lawyer can prevent escalation, secure timely witness statements, and ensure that investigative authorities receive a complete and accurate picture. 

Without prompt intervention, the case could easily have proceeded toward formal charges.