There will be no charges filed against Artem Chigvintsev following his arrest for suspected felony domestic violence.
The Napa County District Attorney, Allison Haley, announced on Tuesday that her office has decided not to proceed with criminal charges after thoroughly reviewing the evidence and investigation. Haley explained that there was not enough evidence to convincingly prove that Artem had committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. However, she mentioned the possibility of filing charges in the future if new information or evidence emerges.
Artem was initially arrested for felony domestic violence on August 29th but was later released after posting a ,000 bail.
Garcia, since the incident, has sought the services of a divorce lawyer and currently resides in their Napa Valley home along with their 4-year-old child, Matteo. Reports suggest that Chigvintsev is currently living with a friend.
Find the official statement from the District Attorney’s Office below:
The Napa County District Attorney, Allison Haley, today made an announcement that criminal charges will not be filed against Artem Chigvintsev, aged 42, who was arrested earlier on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The decision not to file charges comes after a comprehensive review of the criminal investigation and a careful evaluation of all available evidence.
Despite taking every arrest seriously and standing against domestic violence, Haley underscored the office’s ethical obligation to only file charges when evidence supports them. She noted the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard in the American criminal justice system.
Domestic violence can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, with a statute of limitations of three years or one year, respectively. Haley mentioned that the case may be revisited if new incidents or information emerge within the timeframe of the statute of limitations.
The Victim Services Division of the Napa County District Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with victims of domestic violence and other crimes, providing necessary resources regardless of whether or not charges are filed.
While it’s uncommon for the District Attorney’s Office to issue press releases when declining to file charges, an exception was made for this case because of the significant media attention it has received. The office will refrain from sharing any further details related to this case, including the identity of the alleged victim. Any inquiries related to the case can be directed to Public Affairs and Media Officer Carlos Villatoro.
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