A 30-year-old client was investigated for assault by strangulation in Lansing. The complaining witness claimed that he put his hand around her throat and strangled her during an altercation. Attorney Tiffany DeBruin represented him in a motion to terminate a personal protection order and the complaining witness changed her story several times. In addition, her testimony did not match that of the two officers that testified at the hearing as well.
Attorney DeBruin pointed out these weaknesses to the prosecutor. It was also shown that she had made reports in the past and that the client was paying for her housing, food, and other living expenses and using him so she could stay in the apartment longer. The prosecutor made the decision to decline charges and my client is free to go about his life without worrying about being charged with a 10-year felony.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.