JOINT DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND LOS ALAMOS POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE

The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners at the Los  Alamos Police Department, would like to inform our community that the case against Michael  Novak is dismissed without prejudice on September 8, 2023.  

The United States Supreme Court requires that prosecutors guard against witness  dishonesty. Importantly, these ethical and legal mandates prohibit prosecutors from knowingly  eliciting testimony from an officer whose credibility is subject to challenge. 

After investigation, the FJDA determined that it will no longer rely upon the case agent in the  Michael Novak case as a witness in any pending or future cases in the first judicial district.  Therefore, the case against Michael Novak is dismissed pending further investigation.  

The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office is committed to refiling criminal charges against  Novak with the help of LAPD. However, this step can only be taken when sufficient evidence to  establish probable cause is found separate from the initial investigation.