PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies outfielder Jason Michaels was
placed in a program for first-time offenders Thursday after his
arrest last summer for assaulting a police officer outside a
nightclub.
Michaels was placed in the district attorney's Accelerated
Rehabilitative Disposition program for the July 3 arrest. If he
complies with the terms of the program, to be set on Jan. 20, the
charges can be dropped and the record expunged. In assault cases,
such conditions may include anger management counseling or
community service.
Defense attorney Barnaby C. Wittels said his client's case is
what the program is meant to handle.
"There were no serious injuries, my client has no criminal
record, and this was an incident that really was not as serious as
it was made out to be," Wittels said. "Not every arrest deserves
a prosecution."
Assistant District Attorney Beth Grossman said after Thursday's
hearing that it isn't unusual to use the program for someone
charged with felony assault of a police officer.
The 29-year-old Michaels was accused of punching Officer Timothy
Taylor, wrestling him to the ground and ripping his shirt,
requiring several officers to subdue him.