I don't believe it will be the cost that makes the DA not want to prosecute. I think he just simply does not want the trial. This same DA will dismiss a domestic violence case in a heart beat if the victim refuses to testify. The inconsistency here is, NC law orders a LEO to arrest if there are ANY signs of assault. The Chapter 50-B of NCGS has removed the burden of charging from the victim and placed it on the shoulders of Law Enforcement. There have been a number of times I have gone in to court prepared to prosecute a domestic violence case only to have it dismissed because the victim will not testify, even though I have pictures and enough evidence I could confidently gain a conviction without the victim's testimony.
"dismissed because the victim will not testify"
Been there done that.
Sure gets old don't it?