What if the judge decides my partner is not guilty?
If the judge is not completely certain beyond a reasonable doubt about every part of the crime, the judge cannot find your partner guilty.
Sometimes, the judge might believe what you say during the trial, but still say your partner is not guilty. For example, the judge may believe that you felt scared because your partner was angry, but the judge might not think your partner meant to threaten you. Just because the judge says your partner is not guilty does not mean that the judge did not believe you.
Even if the judge says your partner is not guilty, the judge can still order them to sign a peace bond saying that they will not contact you. The peace bond can also include conditions similar to bail conditions. See Criminal court orders.
If your partner is not guilty, they will be free to leave the courthouse. You should make a safety plan for when you leave the court. See What is a good safety plan?
Previous page Next page