People sometimes ask if they really need a lawyer. We at Chirafisi & Verhoff think a lawyer can be instrumental in making a difference in your case. This matter is a good example of how a lawyer can cut through the red tape and guide a case to the appropriate conclusion. Law enforcement conducted a harassment investigation of a client who suffers from mental health issues. Although police recognized that mental health issues were at the root of the problem, they believed some form of intervention from the justice system was necessary. Originally, the officer issued the client a non-criminal citation for harassment. A supervising officer in the police department decided to void the ticket and referred the case to the District Attorney's Office for the possibility of charging a criminal offense that would have more "teeth." The case sat in the District Attorney's Office for several months before a relatively new prosecutor looked at it. Like the investigating police officer, the prosecutor did not necessarily think a charge should be formally filed. However, the prosecutor thought "something" should be done. A hearing was scheduled (nearly seven months after the original investigation concluded). The client attended without a lawyer. A representative from the DA's Office informed the client that there was a way to avoid criminal charges from ever being issued. The client was told to complete a deferred prosecution program sponsored by the DA's Office. If the client completed the program, the DA would not file charges. The client agreed and met with a social worker from the program several weeks later. Unfortunately, after meeting the client, the social worker recognized that the client had mental health issues that could not be sufficiently addressed through the program. The client was rejected from the program, triggering the automatic filing of a criminal disorderly conduct charge. A family member contacted our office just before the client was scheduled to have a "final conference" before trial. Attorney Tim Verhoff immediately spoke with one of the supervising lawyers in the District Attorney's Office. He explained the situation, discussed the client's mental health issues, and provided information about what the client had done to address the mental health issues since the initial investigation. He was able to explain why intervention through the justice system was clearly not necessary or warranted under the circumstances. The supervisor at the DA's Office listened and agreed. Nearly a year after the investigation started, and one month after hiring our firm, the case was dismissed. Having the right person in your corner advocating for you along the way can make all of the difference in the world.