Can You Press Charges on an Ex-Boyfriend Over a Three-Month-Old Assault

[lawfacts]

A woman in Ohio was battered by her boyfriend three months ago. She has pictures of her injuries, but did not report the case to the police at the time. Can she still have her now ex-boyfriend prosecuted?

[Mr. Knowitall]

The woman may report the incident to the police, and provide the photographs and whatever other corroborating evidence she possesses that might help prove that a battery occurred, when it occurred, and who committed the battery. The police will review the evidence and, if they believe that there is sufficient cause, will have a prosecutor review the matter for possible prosecution. Whether or not a prosecutor will attempt to prosecute the case will depend upon the strength of the evidence.