BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHARGED WITH PUNCHING A FEMALE STUDENT IN THE FACE AT A PARTY WILL HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD SO LONG AS HE STAYS OUT OF TROUBLE FOR ONE-YEAR.

According to the Police Report, the Client, a student at Bridgewater State University, attended an off-campus party that was thrown by other students who attended the university. The alleged victim, a female BSU student, resided at the house where the off-campus party was held. She stated that the Defendant showed up the party, uninvited, and created a disturbance by arguing with the alleged victim and her roommates. The Defendant was asked to leave but he refused. He allegedly started to punch the walls and doors and he was kicked out of the house by other party-goers. As he was being kicked out of the party, the Defendant allegedly punched the female-victim in the face knocking her to the ground and causing her to have a swollen cheekbone. The Defendant was charged with Assault & Battery for punching the female victim in the face.

Result: At a Clerk-Magistrate’s Hearing, the female victim attended the hearing along with her father and they were both very upset about what happened. Attorney Gerald J. Noonan mediated the case by engaging in a discussion with all parties including: the alleged victim, her father, members of his client’s family, and the police department. After engaging in a constructive dialogue with all parties and getting input from everyone, all parties came to an agreement that the criminal complaint would be dismissed after one-year so long as the Client stayed out of trouble. The Client, now a senior at Salem State University and stand-out football player, will have no criminal record so long as he stays out of trouble. This was a significant victory because the Client, at this point in life, who will soon be graduating from college and entering the work force, will not have a criminal record, as he sets out to start his career.