Newport Beach, Orange County - An Irvine man was arrested Sunday for child endangerment and resisting arrest after allegedly slapping his seven-year-old special needs son aboard a tour boat and tossing him overboard into the waters of Newport Beach.
The child was reportedly crying following an argument between the father and his wife, the child's reported stepmother, on the boat, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff deputies say the suspect repeatedly hit his son before throwing him into the harbor.
Newport Beach criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti says these are two very serious charges and with many witnesses on the boat to the alleged incident this suspect is going to need a very experienced Orange County criminal defense lawyer who could possible work out a deal, or even have the charge of resisting arrest dismissed.
Guisti says if you're ever accused of a serious crime like child abuse or domestic violence it's very important to contact an attorney right away who can review your case and work with the courts to reduce your charges or even possibly dismiss your charges.
Newport Beach criminal lawyer Guisti says the crime of child endangerment is when a person places a child in a dangerous situation, or allows a child to be placed in a dangerous situation without taking steps to protect the child. Guisti stresses that for this charge to arise the child doesn't need to actually need to be physically injured, only that the child was placed in a position where he/she could've been endangered.
Basically child endangerment is when a suspect willfully inflicted unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering on a child, according to Guisti, and is a "wobbler," which means it could be charged either as a felony or misdemeanor.
If convicted of felony child endangerment you could face up to six years in a California state prison, according to Guisti.
Resisting arrest is when a suspect basically resists, delays, or obstructs a peace officer, or even firefighter and paramedic, in their duties, according to Guisti.
Guisti says this includes refusing to be handcuffed or not complying with an officer's demands to identify yourself or interfering with the work of an officer.
This charge is a misdemeanor, according to Guisti.
If you're facing similar charges you need to contact the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away at 888-478-8999 and let our expert domestic violence attorneys handle your case and get you the best possible outcome.
