Understanding the Criminal Justice System
Battery – including domestic battery – is a serious crime in Indiana, but it is not always an easy crime to prove. In many cases, the testimony of the alleged victim is not enough, especially if there were no other witnesses. That is where medical records and expert testimony can come in.
Medical records are often used in battery cases to prove – or disprove – allegations that the alleged victim was injured and that the injury was the result of the defendant’s aggressive actions. If the victim was treated at an ER or a doctor’s office, those records can come into evidence. How they are used, of course, depends on what the records show.
The records may support the victim’s allegations that the defendant committed battery against them, particularly if they document injuries that could have been the result of the violent actions of another person. On the other hand, depending on what is in the records, they may actually support the defendant’s side of the case.
Most of us who take a peek at our medical charts or records may not be able to understand the meaning of the information they contain. A jury is no different. Medical records need to be explained and interpreted, and that means that a medical professional – qualified as an expert by the court – needs to testify about the records and what they say and mean.
In the context of a battery or domestic battery case, the medical expert may also be able to testify as to whether the injuries recorded in the medical records are or are not consistent with the victim having been struck by the defendant, or having suffered an unusual fall. An effective medical expert can make the difference between a conviction and a not guilty verdict.
If you have been charged with battery or domestic battery, you are entitled to a strong and effective defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Razumich & Associates are ready to provide one. We regularly defend clients all across Indiana in these kinds of difficult cases and will fight for your rights from the moment we become involved.
Call Razumich & Associates today at 317-983-5333, or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a consultation to discuss your case and explain how we can help.
