The Fitchburg Police Department recently arrested our client on a felony charge of strangulation, as well as misdemeanor charges of battery, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property after he got into a physical fight with his cousin during a night of drinking with friends. Our client had no criminal record and was fearful about how the situation would turn out. He contacted Chirafisi & Verhoff while he was still in jail but before the Dane County District Attorney’s Office made a charging decision. Attorney Tim Verhoff spoke to prosecutors and provided background information about the client and the situation. He was able to secure a resolution to the case before our client even appeared in a courtroom. Given the circumstances, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to charge our client only with the lowest level misdemeanor offense – disorderly conduct. The prosecution agreed to have our client participate in a deferred prosecution program, meaning the remaining charge will be dismissed after he successfully completes the program in a few months.