Criminal Case
My friend was involved in a minor traffic incident one evening involving an overtaking maneuver. There was no collision or physical contact between the vehicles.
Afterward, the other people involved became upset, blocked her way, got out of their vehicle, and started banging on her car and asking her to come out. She stayed inside the vehicle and did not engage with them.
Some time later, she was informed that a complaint had been filed alleging that she had used offensive language and made an offensive gesture toward them. She denies both allegations.
The matter has since gone to Public Prosecution. She attended without a lawyer because, unfortunately, she couldn't afford one. During the investigation, when she asked what evidence supported the allegations against her, she was told that the complaint was based on a statement from one of the people involved.
She was told that the prosecution would either close the case if there was insufficient evidence or refer it to court if they believed there was enough evidence.
She's understandably quite anxious because she had never dealt with anything like this before, and found the process difficult to navigate without legal representation.
Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm mainly interested in understanding what happens next, how these cases are generally handled, and whether a case can be closed at the prosecution stage when there isn't sufficient evidence.
Just trying to help her get through this.