Clayman Rosenberg Kirshner & Linder LLP partner Effie Blassberger secured a decision by the District Attorney’s Office not to file criminal charges against a father accused of sexually abusing his young daughter — an allegation that arose during a bitter custody dispute.

The accusations were devastating. Not only was the father facing the prospect of serious criminal charges, but he was also separated from the daughter he loved deeply and was desperate to be reunited with.

Blassberger intervened early, engaging directly with the District Attorney’s Office before any charges were filed. Over the course of several meetings, she presented compelling evidence that the allegations were false.

For a father whose life had been turned upside down, the decision brought enormous relief. While his fight to reunite with his daughter is far from over, a significant obstacle has been removed.

As part of her advocacy, Blassberger also pointed prosecutors to a similar case in which the decision to pursue criminal charges has since resulted in a civil lawsuit against the District Attorney’s Office.

Ultimately, the District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute.

The case also reminds us why what happens before charges are filed can matter as much as what happens in a courtroom. By engaging with prosecutors early and giving them the opportunity to carefully examine the allegations, Blassberger helped ensure that an already painful family situation did not become a criminal prosecution.