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Asked almost 4 years ago - Fort Wayne, IN
FlagMy friend was punched in the face and his jaw was broken on spring break in Florida. The person who punched him was arrested and charged with assault. There are many witnesses and everyone says the case would surely result in the defendant being found guilty. He pled not guilty at the arraignment and we are facing a plea bargain that would knock the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. We are not trying to ruin this person's life by getting them charged with a felony. We just want all of our friend's medical expenses paid in full. Would our friend get all his medical bills paid if he was charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony?
The issue you are actually referring to is restitution, which typically is not tied to the gradation of the offense, but to the seriousness of the injury or loss. I suggest your friend contact the victim/witness coordinator and the prosecutor assigned this matter to discuss the extent of the injury and the financial loss incurred. Make sure your friend has copies of all of the medical bills showing what was not reimbursed, and therefore an out-of-pocket loss. Good luck.
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