Q. CAN I DROP CHARGES?
 

A. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for York County and the City of Poquoson has a "no drop" policy on all charges. Because the defendant has broken a law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office must prosecute the crime. What this means is that once charges are filed and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office decides to proceed with the case, you can no longer withdraw the charges.  Only a prosecutor handling the case can request a dismissal of the charges. Only the Court has the authority to dismiss, or "drop" charges.