Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Santa Ana- Santa Ana police arrested a 15 year old boy for vandalism and possession of marijuana for sale. On Friday a store owner called the police complaining that someone was tagging on his wall. He told police were the boy was walking. He was spotted police officers that were in the area. When they searched him they found multiple bags of marijuana on him and a spray can, which matched the vandalism on the wall. He is being held at Juvenile Hall on the suspicion of vandalism, possession of marijuana for sale, and being affiliated with a gang.

In California, Juvenile crimes are dealt with much differently than adult crimes. In many cases the judge wants to keep the minor out of jail so punishments like community service are available. Possession of marijuana for sale is a fairly serious crime. It is considered much more serious than just possession of marijuana for personal use. It can be found in the California Health and safety code section 11360. It states that any person who either transports or sales marijuana is guilty of a felony. In this case there is also the charge of a vandalism .This charge can be found in the California Penal Code section 594. It says anyone who has graffiti another's property is guilty of vandalism. Depending on how much the damage amounts to will determine if it gets charged and a misdemeanor or felony. The minor may also face additional charges because he is in a gang. In California if it is found by the court the crime was committed for a gang there could be a gang enhancement that will be added to the sentence.

Since there is a chance the minor facing the charges is able to serve a community service sentence rather than a jail sentence, it is important to hire a Santa Ana juvenile crimes defense attorney to help you in defending the charges.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Teen Arrested for Selling Marijuana and Vandalism" »

Newport Beach, Orange County - A Newport Beach business owner of the Health Collective and his three employees plead guilty to felony drug charges. The first defendant Steve Wick, the owner pleads guilty to the unlawful sale of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. Wick also has another drug cases pending with the courts that he will plead guilty to. In this case he is being charged with possession of marijuana for sale and possessing more than $25,000 obtained through drug sales. He is being sentenced to three years in state prison. The second defendant Marilyn Manuel, manager, pled guilty to the charge of possession for sale of marijuana, and was sentenced to one year in jail. The last defendant Tara Sorenson is being charged with three felony counts of the sale of marijuana and one felony count of possession of marijuana for sale. She has yet to be sentenced.

Newport Beach drug crimes defense attorney Michael Guisti who has experience handling cases in California drugs crime cases in both federal and state court commented on this article. He states that possession of marijuana for sale can be defined in the California Health and Safety code 11360 which states that every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport any marijuana shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for up to four years. He goes on to explain that possessing marijuana and possessing marijuana to sell it are dealt with differently. Possessing marijuana is considered a misdemeanor in California, but possessing marijuana to sell it is a felony and usually means a jail sentence.

Having a drug charge on your record is very serious. It can have negative aspects on every part of your life. Since possession with the intent to sale is dealt with so much more harshly than just possession, it is imperative to your freedoms that you hire a skilled Orange County criminal defense attorney and an experienced Irvine criminal attorney immediately to protect your rights.

Continue reading "Newport Beach Businessman Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Sales of Marijuana" »

San Clemente- San Clemente Police pulled over a truck filled with furniture and noticed a strange smell coming from the furniture. Police suspect that the smell was marijuana. They the have it confirmed by a K-9 team. Police then inspected the furniture and discover that it has been hidden in the empty space. It is alleged that the weight of the marijuana was about 772.9 pounds and worth about $386,000. The suspect was arrested and turned over to the Drug enforcement Administration.

Newport Beach drug crimes defense attorney Michael Guisti goes over the charges of smuggling. The charges of the sale or transportation of marijuana can be found in the California Health and Safety code section 11360 which states that every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport any marijuana shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for up to four years.

Having a drug charge on your record is very serious. The charge of selling is dealt with by the courts more harshly than just possession. If a person gets charged with the sale and transportation of drugs it will have an affect on every aspect of their lives. It is imperative to retain an experienced Newport Beach drug crimes defense attorney if you are facing a drug charge.

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San Clemente, Orange County - San Diego police were conducting a checkpoint station near the San Clememte Border. Two unidentified men were caught in Orange County trying to smuggle 18 pounds of cocaine into the United States. The value of the cocaine is said to be about $300,000.

The deputies saw two men in a white Dodge truck on a Saturday morning. The deputies then questioned the men and ask where they were going. The men were questioned separately and each of their locations was different. The deputies then used police dogs to sniff around the truck. The dogs found the cocaine hidden in the truck.

Under California criminal law, drug crime charges are serious cases. There are several type of drug crime charges, such as drug manufacturing, drug trafficking, drug possession, drug possession with intent to sell, drug cultivation, money laundering or drug sale of an unlawful narcotic, including: heroin, LSD, meth, cocaine, crack, marijuana, methamphetamines, or illegal use controlled substances or unauthorized prescription medications.

In California, Drug offense is one of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes. Most of the drug crimes can be charged as felony charges. An Orange County Criminal Attorney, known as an Orange County and Los Angeles drug crime defense authority, Attorney Michael L. Guisti, has evaluated this case and he thinks this is a very serious offense. He comments that if these two drug traffickers are convicted, these two drug traffickers could face serious felony drug crime charges involving a federal crime.

In the State of California, transporting a controlled substance is a serious offense. If you or someone you love has been arrested or charged with any kind of felony drug crimes, whether in Orange County, Los Angeles or San Diego, you need to consult an experienced Southern California Drug Defense attorney for legal advice immediately. Our Orange County criminal attorney and Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys have handled hundreds of drug cases on both state and federal level.

Under the California Heath and Safety Code 11352 any person who transports for sale any controlled substances shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or nine years.

Continue reading "Men Arrested for Drug Smuggling of 18 Pounds of Cocaine at Orange County Checkpoint" »

Fountain Valley, Orange County - Fountain Valley police go undercover at a local restaurant to investigate what is called "Bikini Night". Undercover police went to the restaurant Aysya after learning that on Sunday and Monday nights. The police were able to buy at the restaurant five ecstasy pills for fifty dollars from the waitress.

Three weeks later the undercover police went back to the restaurant looking to see if they were able to buy more. Police wrote in a search warrant. Three people have been charged with the selling of ecstasy pills to the undercover police. Among those charged are Vinh Pham Buu, the restaurant's owner, the waitress who sold the pills Cindy Thi Thuy Huynh, and John Phi Ma for supplying the pills that the detective bought.

In California, drug crimes involves illegal drugs or controlled substances can be charged with drug possession for Personal Use; possession of Drugs for Sale; drug trafficking (drug transporting, drug buying, drug selling); drug distributing; drug Cultivating or Manufacturing or drug conspiracy.

Under Calfornia Law, the possession of drugs with the intent to sell is a serious offense. The California Health and Safety Code 11352 states that any person that posses or tries to sell a controlled substances can be imprisoned. Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti who reviewed this case noted that drug crime cases are usually serious charges and mostly can be charged with felony charges and that people that face these charges can be imprisoned in the state prison for three, six or nine years.

Does this sound like a situation that you are in? Have you been charged with either selling or possessing controlled substance? Protect your freedom. At the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, a leading Southern California Criminal Defense law firm, we can help you through this difficult time. Michael L. Guisti has the exceptional knowledge and experience in drug crime defense at both state and federal level. Our attorneys will provide you with the highest quality representation you need. Orange County criminal defense attorney Michael Guisti is very familiar with the court systems, prosecutors, judges in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside. He is often able to reduce a serious felony drug crime, to a lesser misdemeanor charge. We will put many years of our experience to work for you.

Continue reading "Fountain Valley Restaurant Owner Charged with Drug Sales to Undercovered Orange County Police" »

Orange County - According to The Orange County Register, Matthew Barnard, of Corona, was formally arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia and possession of stolen property. Barnard was said to have attempted to pay for his meal at a local Arby's with counterfeit bills.

Orange County sheriff's deputies were called to an Arby's restaurant on Monday night after an employee at the Arby's called authorities to report that two customers had tried to pay for their Arby's meals with two counterfeit $20 bills. Upon further search, deputes also found more counterfeit bills.

California Penal Code Section 470(d)covers the crime of counterfeiting, and the statute makes clear that the counterfeiting of legal tender is a criminally sanctionable act with substantial penalties, which may include, but is not limited to, fines and/or jail/prison time. Moreover, possession of illegal narcotics is also a criminal act which carries penalties, including but not limited to, penalties and/or jail/prison time.

If you or your loved one have been charged or arrested for counterfeiting and/or possession of illegal narcotics, or related felonies and/or misdemeanors in the State of California, you need to consult with an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney or Southern California criminal lawyer to protect your rights and freedom. Criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti have handled hundreds of criminal cases in both state and federal court, including fraud, theft crimes, counterfeiting of money and drug possession, among many other crimes. Please contact our Orange County criminal defense attorney at 714-530-9690 or visit our website at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.

WESTMINSTER, Orange County - A Fountain Valley store owner was arrested for marijuana sale at his store. Bigira KiroKiro will be in Westminster West Justice Center for his charge on selling marijuana. He has been charged with a felony count of sale or transport of marijuana, felony possession for sale charge. He is facing felony charge of opening a location for selling drugs. A Fountain Valley police detective went to the store and asked to buy some drugs. Later, they found marijuana and some drugs in the office and car.

Possession of drugs with the intent to sell, or the actual sale of drugs is a serious crime and a felony under California law. Under California Health and Safety Code Section 11352, "Every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport [...a controlled substance...] shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, four, or five years." Also, even misdemeanor drug charges can lead to prison time, heavy fines, and community service. Therefore, if you have been charged with any drug crime in Southern California, you need to hire an expert criminal defense attorney that has experience in defending drug charges.

Why hire an experienced Orange County drug crimes defense attorney?

Experienced criminal defense attorneys know that district attorneys have a lot of prosecutorial discretion when it comes to the prosecution of drug crimes. Here at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Orange County criminal defense lawyers have defended their clients from drug charges for over a decade. We have built professional relationships with many district attorneys and prosecutors, and we have been able to put these relationships to work for our clients' benefit. Often times, we are able to have a serious feloney drug crimes charge reduced to a lesser misdemeanor charge, or negotiate plea deals so that our clients do not have to spend any time in prison.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Southern California, please call us today at (714) 530-9690 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Orange County criminal defense attorneys. Let us put our expertise and experience to work for you in your drug crimes defense case.

TUSTIN, Orange County - A Huntington Beach man and a Tustin woman has been arrested for growing marijuana in their baby's room. Stephen Casino, of Huntington Beach, and Tina Turrieta, of Tustin, have been both arrested. They are facing charges of felony child endangerment, according to the Tustin Police.

According to California law, if a person permits a child to be in a situation that child's health or safety is endangered, he could be convicted of felony child endangerment. Police found two dozen plants in the apartment. California law only allows marijuana patients to grow 12 plants per person.

MISSION VIEJO, Orange County - Orange County Register reports that a Mexican man was arrested on Wed for smuggling more than 800 pounds of marijuana in an SUV.

The US Border Patrol Agent in Orange County stopped the vehicle on 5-freeway and started searching the SUV, and found 30 bundles of marijuana which weigh 839 pounds, the value of marijuana worth $503,712. The drug trafficker has been taken to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Under California law, drug crime is a serious crime. It defines as unlawful possession, use, sale or furnishing of drugs. Most of drug offenses are felony charges and possession for any amount of cocaine is a felony.

The penalties for Southern California Drug crimes are serious. The consequences could have a big impact on one's life and future. The severity of the charges depends on the amount, the purpose of the possession of drugs and prior criminal records.

California Drug Crime Defense requires special skills and knowledge in a Southern California drug crimes defense Attorney, hiring the right Orange County criminal defense lawyer makes your drug crime case a big difference. At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, we have successfully represented hundreds of clients in felony drug crimes in Orange County (Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Laguna Niguel, Westminster, Tustin, Irvine, Anaheim, Costa Mesa), Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino in both state and federal courts.

Continue reading "Man Faces Felony Drug Crime Charges in Orange County in Marijuana Possession for Drug Transportation" »

SANTA ANA, Orange County - Santa Ana drug dealer, Guadalupe Serna, of Santa Ana, was convicted of murdering Ryan Todd, who stole cocaine from him. Serna was convicted of first-degree murder and sentencing enhancement for killing with firearm. He could face 50 years to life in prison.

Todd took cocaine from Serna in Santa Ana without paying him and ran away in a cab. Serna killed him by a firearm.

Drug crimes are serious crimes, it can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the crime, type of controlled substances, the amount of drugs, the purpose of the drugs involved and the criminal records of the accused. However, most of the drug crimes are charged as felony.

Our criminal lawyers and drug defense attorneys have earned the reputation of aggressive Southern California drug crime defense in fighting for clients against drug and narcotics charges in the drug crimes: Including:

Drug possession (HS Code 11351), Possession of Marijuana; Distributing drugs, Drug manufacturing, Drug trafficking, Transportation or sale of a controlled substance (HS Code 11352), Cultivation of Marijuana; Possession of Methamphetamine (HS Code 11377), Possession for Sale of Narcotics; Production of Narcotics; Possession with intent to sell, Selling drugs, Possession of Controlled Substance (HS Code 11350), possession or possession for sales of cocaine, meth, ecstasy, vicodin, and prescription drugs.

Our Orange County criminal defense lawyer and drug crimes defense attorney specializes in Orange County Drugs, involves controlled substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, PCP, LSD, heroin, methamphetamine / meth, ecstasy, MDMA. Our experienced Orange County criminal defense attorneys represent clients in Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Westminster and Fullerton.

Continue reading "Santa Ana Drug dealer convicted of Murder" »

Orange County - Orange County detective and investigators are investigating on the scene after two marijuana businesses were broken into by burglars this morning.

According to Orange County Sheriff's Department, the burglary happened around 5 a.m., this morning.

Orange County police officers received a call this morning for burglary from Health and Wellness Center at the Lake Forest Alternative Center.

Orange County Police and detectives arrived on the scene to find the two marijuana businesses were broken into and the windows were broken.

From the video surveillance, it looks like two burglars kicking down a door at the marijuana businesses. They didn't take any cash or valuables.

According to the marijuana business owner that the marijuana was stored inside, and it is hard for people to get access.

The owner of the business and the staff were working together with the police in the investigation.

Under California Criminal Law, Penal Code 459, the definition of burglary is entering a building with the intent to steal or commit a theft crime, regardless if you walk out with anything or not.

The charge for theft crimes can be serious, depends upon the defendant's criminal history and the amount of the property stolen.

Sometimes a person can be charged with shoplifting instead. In a situation, if this person is caught shoplifting with no money to pay for what they stole, they are sometimes charged with burglary.

Commercial burglary is a second degree burglary is can be either a felony or a is misdemeanor.

Residential burglary is a first degree burglary, the definition of residential burglary is getting into a residence with the intent to steal or commit a felony theft crime. First degree burglary is a felony and it's a serious charge. It can be charged as a strike under "three strikes".

If you are arrested or charged with a theft crime, such as shoplifting, petty theft, burglary, fraud, embazzlement or robbery crime, you need to seek an experienced Criminal Defense lawyer immediately, a qualified theft crime attorney can give you a consultation on your case to determine what it takes to provail your case as soon as possible.

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