The analysis revealed that the charging decision was most affected by the defendant's current or past choices. The factors most strongly associated with the decision to issue a criminal charge were the defendant's appearing at the charging conference and his use of drugs or alcohol at the time of the violence. Some other factors which were reflective of choices made by the defendant include the degree of injury inflicted, the instrument used, the fact of prior offenses, and prior abuse of the particular victim. Much of the data suggests that the decision to prosecute is based largely on the defendant's past and current actions and choices. Little suggests that victims are blamed or denied equal protection of the law. 4 tables, 10 notes, 30 references. (Author abstract modified)