Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

LAGUNA BEACH, Orange County - Orange County Register today reports another Laguna Beach Drug crime which caught the attention of our Southern California criminal attorneys.

A Laguna Beach boy, and a Fountain Valley man, Lam Dinh Nguyen, were arrested on Wed for drug crimes involving drug sale, drug transportation and drug possession of the ecstasy pills by trying to sell thousands of "ecstasy" pills to undercover police officer. They were arrested by the undercover officers in Garden Grove in a meeting for the drug sale, according to Laguna Beach Police.

Laguna Beach Police also found a related drug crime case in Santa Ana for illegally cultivate marijuana. There is a rise on drug crimes involving possession of the drug and drug sale in Laguna Beach recently. A pound of marijuana has been confiscated by the Laguna Beach police.

In California, Drug crimes are very serious crimes. It involves narcotics offenses such as drug procession, drug distribution, drug sales, drug manufacture, and controlled substances, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, meth, and marijuana.
Also the names of controlled substances including cocaine, heroin, meth, LSD, and MDMA or "ecstasy", and other prescription drugs.

If convicted, the penalties for the charges can be very severe. It can carry jail time or long term in state prison from 15 years to life, depending on the amount and the type of drug used and prior criminal records.

Most of the drug crime offenses are charged with california felony charges. For example, under California Health & Safety Code 11550: if a person is convicted of being under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, the punishment is a at least 90 days of jail, it is also applied to someone whi is intoxicated on narcotic, or if he doens't have a lawfully issued prescriptioneven.

Whatever the type of the drug crimes, whether it is a felony drug pocession or drug sales, it is all serious charges. If you or someone you know has been charged or arrested for drug related crimes, it is imperative to consult an experienced Orange County drug crime defense attorney. Our Laguna Beach drug defense attorney and Santa Ana drug crime attorney will use their experience and knowledge to fight for your drug crime charges. We will take every step the possible way to help you to minimize your charges or dismiss all your charges.

Under California law, possession of narcotics, recreational drugs or unauthorized prescription drugs is a serious crime in California. At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Newport Beach Drug Crime Defense attorneys have the experience, the skills and the knowledge in drug crime defense and have successfully represented hundreds of clients who have been charged with drug crimes in Orange County, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, and other cities in Southern California.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug crime in Southern California, you need to contact an experienced Orange County drug crime defense attorney or Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Law Offices of Michael Guisti immediately for a free consultation at 714-530-9690 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com

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" »

Santa Ana, Orange County - Santa Ana man, Gaylord Daney, plead not guilty in an Orange County court house to assaulting his public defender .He was appointed a female attorney for his recent marijuana possession charges. He asked the court to fire his current attorney and give him a new one. The court denied his motion. While in the hallway of the court Daney punches his female attorney in the face. The punch caused her glasses to break on she hit her head against the wall. She suffered bruises and cuts on her face. This attorney is no longer representing Daney.

Orange County assault and battery defense attorney Michael Guisti recently reviewed this case. He states that Daney will not only be facing charges for his marijuana possession, but he will also be facing the charges of felony assault charges. Assault and its punishments can be found in the California Penal code section 240. The code section states that an assault occurs when a person attempts to injure another and has the means to do so. Since the woman is an officer of the court it is a felony. He could be facing a fine of $2,000 and jail time. He will face additional misdemeanor charges if convicted of possession of marijuana.

Continue reading "Sanat Ana Man Assaults Public Defender" »

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.

Continue reading "San Clemente Man Arrested for Smuggling Marijuana " »

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" »

Costa Mesa, Orange County - The Orange County Register reports that Costa Mesa Police have served search warrants at the West Coast Wellness Center medical marijuana dispensary. The dispensary is located on the 1200 block of Logan Avenue . Three employees, ranging in age from 23 to 49 were booked on charges of illegally selling marijuana. A female customer was also cited for drug possession.

California voters approved Proposition 215 in 1996, allowing qualified patients to use marijuana for its medicinal properties. The law, however, did not establish a uniform, statewide framework for the distribution of the drug. Since then, cities have enacted conflicting approaches for regulating and sanctioning medical marijuana dispensaries. Costa Mesa prohibits such facilities from operating within its city limits.

Prop. 215 has also generated confusion regarding the legality of any marijuana sales. The face of the law prohibits sale of marijuana for profit, but allows qualified distributors to collect "reasonable compensation" for their services.

The three employees arrested in yesterday's raid will likely be charged under section 11360(a) of the California Health and Safety Code. That provision makes any unauthorized sale of marijuana a felony punishable by up to 4 years in state prison, depending on the quantity of marijuana sold and the defendant's prior record. The fourth suspect will most likely be charged under section 11357(b) of the Health and Safety Code. That provision makes possession of less than one ounce of cannabis by an adult a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine, unless she can provide proof that she uses marijuana pursuant to a doctor's recommendation or approval.

California Drug charges can be very serious, possibly resulting in lengthy prison sentences. Only an aggressive, experienced Southern California criminal defense attorney or Orange County Drug crime defense attorneys can help navigate the complicated judicial process and protect your legal rights. At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our Orange county criminal attorneys and Los Angeles drug crime defense lawyers have extensive experience in defending against all types of drug charges in both state and federal courts in Orang County, Los Angeles, San Diego and throughout Southern California. We represent clients who are accused of drug crimes, such as drug possession, drug transportation, drug cultivation and drug distribution. If you or someone you know has been accused of any drug-related offense, contact us immediately at 714-530-9690 to speak to our Orange County drug crime defense attorneys to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect your freedom or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com

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.

Orange County - Orange County Register reports that a Corona man, Matthew Barnard, was formally arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia and possession of stolen property. He was also charged with counterfeit of money.

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 meals with two counterfeit $20 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 Theft Crime Defense Attorney to protect your rights and freedom.

Orange county 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.

The Orange County Register reported that U.S. Border Patrol agents recently seized $356,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine in San Clemente after agents conducted a stop of a Dodge Durango truck which was headed north on the Interstate 5 at around 11:15 a.m. last Thursday. Evidently, the driver of the Dodge Durango granted the agents permission to search his car, after which the narcotics in question were discovered.

Narcotics trafficking and drug possession is a serious criminal offense which carries substantial penalties, fines and/or jail/prison time, contingent on factors such as the amount trafficked and the amount of drugs discovered on the suspect. If you or your loved one have been charged or arrested for narcotics trafficking and/or drug possession, drug for sale, or related felony drug crime charges in the State of California, it is imperative to consult with an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney or Southern California drug crime defense attorney to protect your rights and ensure your liberties and freedom.

Orange County Criminal defense lawyers at Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti have many years of experience handling serious criminal cases in both state and federal court, and are adept at handling cases in order to ensure that their clients receive a fair and speedy trial. Our Southern California criminal defense attorneys have represented clients charged with felony drug crimes throughout California, including Orange County, San Diego, Los angeles,Riverside and San Bernardino.

If you have any questions regarding the California drug crime defense, please contact us for a free consultation at 714-530-9690 or visit us 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.

Orange County - Four men from Orange County were arrested for distributing drugs under Mexican drug cartels. The Orange County cell distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

Jesus Ortiz is the head of the Orange County distribution cell for transporting methamphetamine, cocaine and heroine from Mexico to the U.S.

This week, police have seized large amount of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana. It is believed that the cartel organized drug crimes have distributed large portions of methamphetamines and transporting from Mexico to the U.S .

A drug crime is defined as a criminal involving the manufacturing, trafficking, possession, or sale of an unlawful narcotic, such as: heroin, LSD, cocaine, crack, marijuana, methamphetamines, and unauthorized prescription medications.

Most of the drug crimes are charged as felony charges. It is one of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes. Drug crimes include: drug possession, drug possession with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, drug manufacturing, drug trafficking, drug distribution, drug cultivation, and money laundering.

Drug Crime is a serious charge, it can be charged as misdemeanor or felony. It has server consequences and punishment. The punishment includes, prison time, large fines, probation, restitution, etc:

Drug crime charges and legal penalties will depend upon the severity of the drug crime, the name of the drug, and quantity of the drug under possession. Another factor is the prior criminal records. The repeated offender usually is subject to enhanced sentensing.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for drug crimes attorney, it is vital to seek legal help from an experienced drug crimes attorney who is aggressive, knowledgeable and skilled in drug crime defense.

Continue reading "Orange County Men Arrested for Drug Crimes under Cartel " »

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 - Two Anaheim men were arrested for drug crimes, marijuana cultivating and running marijuana growing operation in Los Angeles.

Orange County register reports that Los Angeles County police arrested the two Anaheim men Tuesday night on suspicion of cultivating marijuana. 2,399 marijuana plants have been confiscated by police. The marijuana plants are about to be in harvest around this time.

Under California law, drug crimes in California are very serious charges depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the case. If it is convicted, it can carry severe punishment, including substantial fines, jail time, probation and a drug criminal record.

Our criminal lawyers and drug defense attorneys have experience and record of success in fighting for clients against drug and narcotics charges in the drug crimes, including Drug possession (HS Code 11351), Distributing drugs, Drug manufacturing, Drug trafficking, Transportation or sale of a controlled substance (HS Code 11352), Possession of Methamphetamine (HS Code 11377), 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.

If you have been arrested for drug crime in Southern California, it is imperative to seek console with an experienced California Drug crimes lawyer or Orange County criminal defense attorney immediately, Contact the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti today for a free consultation for your drug offense charge..

Continue reading "Anaheim men arrested for Drug Crimes and Marijuana Charges" »