I could have but I didn't want to goto trial and drop $20,000. So my lawyer and I went with a no contest plea. After I complete my anger management class the 2nd degree assault charge will be dismissed and I'll have a clean record again. So in 6 months I'm going to file charges against her in civil court for defamation or false accusations and hopefully recoup some of my losses. She almost made me lose my career in the military for this...