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[KeithHernandez]

What happens when a victim of a horrible crime attacks the defendant in court?  Like in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWMJYQRi0Oc the guy being attacked raped and killed the attackers mom.  So like, that is battery right?  Do they actually get arrested or do they just get taken away and not allowed back at the trial?  If someone actually charges them it always gets plead down right?

[AugustWest]

Up to the prosecutor, but I'd guess not even charged.  If charged, allowed to plea to something very minor.

[fanta]

On a slightly different yet related subject, I am under the impression that often in assault or property damage or theft cases in many jurisdictions the Police won't even bother sending a report to the prosecutor and/or the prosecutor won't bother pressing charges in cases where the victim does not express willingness to actively participate in prosecution.  Of course it is often more difficult and expensive to prosecute without cooperation from the victim, but that doesn't make a crime any less of an affront to the peace and dignity of the People.  I think that Police should devote some resources to lesser crimes, like jaywalking and littering.  Focusing on lesser crimes I think goes a long ways towards creating the psychological state of mind in people that anti-social behavior is not acceptable, which in turn will lessen the frequency and extent to which more serious crimes are committed.  The USA is kind of strange in that in many jurisdictions we often have almost draconian puritanical social mores backed up by laws, but no actual enforcement.

[KeithHernandez]

its called broken windows dog.

[Arachno-capitalist]

Fanta: I was the victim of a crime I did not wish to pursue and the prosecutor went so far as to subpoena me on multiple occasions (and pay for my travel to court) despite my entirely dubious cooperation as the one and only witness/victim. I don't pretend to know why. Maybe it was to improve his track record as a prosecutor or make this person pay more for other crimes. As far as cracking down on minor offenses, it worked wonders for New York City under Giuliani when the NYPD would focus on some random minor thing every couple days like vandalism, small drug possession, or shoplifting.