Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A teenager was arrested and charged with assault and battery after a weekend spat with a former friend, the Taunton Daily Gazette reported.

A Taunton, Massachusetts defense lawyer experienced in assault and battery cases might be able to get these charges reduced, or even dismissed. This case is typical of many alleged assault cases, where both parties were clearly involved and police make an arrest to end the argument more than anything else. Real evidence is likely minimal to non-existent and testimony from the alleged "victim" -- if she even agrees to testify or cooperates with any prosecution -- will likely be of minimal value.

Police arrested the 19-year-old HIghland Court woman on Sunday, following the hair-pulling, finger-biting incident, after alleging that she had been the main culprit of the fight in the back seat of a parked car.

When police responded to a domestic-dispute complaint at the Highland Court address shortly before 8 a.m., they found two women outside, one alleging she had been injured by the defendant.

Upon questioning, the defendant did not deny the scuffle with her one-time close friend, but pointed out to police that she had suffered injuries, including a bite on her pinkie finger and scratches on her face.

Police reported that the alleged victim suffered a loss of hair and a laceration to her back after she came to the apartment with another friend to talk to the defendant. She requested immediate medical treatment but declined to be transported to the hospital.

In addition to the defendant's arrest, both woman were advised of their right to invoke a 209a abuse prevention, or restraining, order against one another.