Child Abuse Case Declined

In this case, the client contacted Chirafisi & Verhoff after receiving a referral to our office from a different criminal defense lawyer in the Madison area.  Detectives wanted to speak with the client about a potential child abuse case after authorities became aware of bruising on a toddler.  Rather than speaking with law enforcement and representatives from human services, the client took our advice and invoked his constitutional right to remain silent.  Having obtained statements from other family members, who reported that if anything happened to the child it was accidental, law enforcement still referred the case to the District Attorney's office for prosecution.  Our lawyers then met with the prosecutor tasked with reviewing the case.  Our lawyers pointed out what we believed were problems with the case for the prosecution.  After listening to our lawyers, the District Attorney agreed and declined to file criminal charges in the matter.