During a BBQ my friend said he was arrested for domestic assault when shouting at his partner

http://www.haddadtrialbook.com/home-page/2013/8/2/haddad-to-resign-after-decade-on-the-bench-in-cook-county.html

During a BBQ my friend said he was arrested for domestic assault when shouting at his partner, a few of us had no idea the complainant can't just drop charges, it felt unreal.