Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana police caught Marcus Williams of Los Angeles in an insurance fraud scam. Williams is the vice president of sales for the cell phone company Verizon. He files a police report stating that a 5 carat diamond engagement ring had been stolen from his office. A detective for the Santa Ana Police Department discovered that Williams had taken out several insurance polices and flied four claims. Police soon discovered that the claims that had been filed were for the allegedly stolen ring. When asked about how the ring was stolen, Williams always changed the story.

The claims that were filed for the ring amounted to $400,000. When Williams started to suspect that police had figured out his scam, he told them that the ring had suddenly appeared. When they asked how it appeared, he gave them several different stories. He was then arrested for five felony counts of making fraudulent claims.

Orange County fraud crimes defense attorney Michael Guisti explains California law on charges of making a fraudulent claim and grand theft. He explains that it can be found in the California Penal code section 550(a). It defines the making of fraudulent claims as knowingly present or cause to be presented any false or fraudulent claim for the payment of a loss or injury, including payment of a loss or injury under a contract of insurance. The punishment for making a fraudulent claim varies depending on the amount of the claim. If it is more than $950, the punishment is up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. The court could also decide to have you pay a larger fine by doubling the amount of the claim. If it is less than $950, then the punishment is one year in prison and a fine of $10,000. Both are charged as a felony in California.

Being charged with a felony fraud charge, grand theft or insurance fraud is a serious offense in Orange County and Los Angeles and dealt with to the highest extent. If you have been charged with grand theft or making a fraudulent claim or any other white collar crime such as health care fraud, insurance fraud, medical fraud, identity theft, check fraud or embezzlement, it is imperative to hire an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer or Orange County white collar defense attorney.

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Irvine, Orange County - Three Irvine teens were arrested for drug crimes and allegedly accused of trying to purchase an uncontrolled substance and making a false police report. The three juveniles were trying to buy methamphetamines from a drug dealer. Instead of selling the teens the drugs, he punched one of them in the face, stole their money and ran. The boys then came up with a story to explain the mark that was on one of the juveniles face.

He told his parents that someone had robbed him and had stolen his money and his iPod. The parent then filed a police report on the robbery. The parents quickly learned that their son had given them false information. The three teenagers were arrested and released to their parents.

Southern California juvenile crime defense attorney, Michael Guisti, recently commented on this case. He states the juvenile cases are handled differently then adult cases. Juvenile cases records can be sealed and the sentencing is typically not as harsh as adult cases. However, a juvenile can be tried as an adult if they are over the age of 14 and have committed a violent crime. If the teenagers are convicted of trying to buy an uncontrolled substance they could be sentenced to do time in Juvenile Hall, and they might have to pay fines. There could also be additional fines for making a false police report.

If your child or someone you love has been charged or arrested for juvenile crimes, you need to consult an experienced Oragne County juvenile crime attorney or Los Angeles criminal lawyer immediately to protect your child's rights.

Continue reading "Irvine Teens Try to Cover Up Drug Deal" »

SANTA ANA - An investigator worked with Orange County Sheriff Department has been charged with 6 counts of filing false police reports.

Janet Strong, started as a peace officer with Orange County Sheriff's Department in 1988, lied in the police reports about her investigation work on cases. She stated in the report that she investigated on several robbery case, theft crimes and other criminal cases, but actually she didn't do any of the work as she said.

A hearing has been scheduled for her on Monday. If she is convicted, she could be sentenced to probation up to six years.

Under California Criminal Law, Penal Code Section 148.5 A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he reports a crime, knowing the information on the report is false,

If you have been charged with providing or filing false police report, you need to seek legal advice from an experienced Criminal defense attorney immediately.

It is vital to have an experienced Criminal defense attorney by your side to fight for your false police report charges. A highly qualified attorney can help you reduce your charge and your penalities or even sometimes dismiss the case for you.

At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our criminal defense attorneys have many years of successful experience defending people accused of all types of crimes in Orange County, Newport Beach, Huntington beach, Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Riverrside and San Diego.

Continue reading "Orange County Sheriff Dept Investigator Charged with False Police Report" »