Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Los Angeles - A Los Angeles school teacher is accused blindfolding and spoon-feeding sperm to his students, and is now facing 23 counts of lewd acts on a minor.

The teacher, Mark Berndt, 61, of Torrance allegedly tied his students up, blindfolded them and told them they were going to play a "taste-testing game," according to authorities, and the students unknowingly were fed the semen.

They've been allegations that Berndt also put semen on cookies and other food item, which the DA is investigating.

Authorities allege that Berndt also put tape around the student's mouths and tortured them by gagging them.

The students are between ages 7-10, according to detectives.

These allegations came to light after a photograph technician at a drug store discovered the photographs of the alleged act after developing them, and the technician alerted police, according to investigators.

Anytime you have allegations of sexual abuse and children it's very best to get a professional defense attorney right away, says Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti.

Now the L.A. District Attorney has said to reporters they plan to file more charges, and it's certainly possible they may try to torture charges, says Guisti.

Authorities have only alleged at this point the substance is semen, but however they're running DNA tests to determine if they can prove what the teacher spoon-fed to the children was what authorities are really alleging, and if there isn't any conclusive proof it is semen then the prosecution is going to have a difficult time proving its case, explains Guisti.

Now what the DA may also end up doing is adding on torture charges, which is the intent to cause cruel or extreme pain for, among other reasons, sadistic purposes, says Guisti.

The problem with adding the charge of torture, Guisti goes on to explain, is one of the elements of the charge of torture is the suspect must have inflicted "great bodily harm," and it's highly debatable whether allegedly unknowingly being fed semen and agreeing to be tied up really qualifies under California's torture laws.

While sex crimes against children are a very unfortunate thing that happens all too often in our society it has resulted in prosecutors overreacting and unfairly overcharging suspects accused of these crimes, says Guisti, which is why it's best to quickly retain a lawyer if you're ever being accused of such crimes.

If you're being accused of a sex crime it's very important you contact our Orange County sex crimes attorney experts right away at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti so we can make sure your side of the story is heard.

We proudly have over a decade of experience winning tough sex crimes cases for our clients in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego.

So please, call us now.

Santa Ana, Orange County - A Santa Ana man was arrested last week after allegedly masturbating in the library, according to police.

Police say library workers were alerted to the man after several library patrons discovered the man masturbating to apparent pornographic images on the computer.

When police arrived they discovered the man masturbating while library patrons, including children, were nearby, and arrested the man for lewd conduct and indecent exposure, according to police.

Many libraries proudly support free speech and that extends to their internet service, but however there have been more than a few cases in Orange County of people looking at such images in libraries, which the suspects have been brought up on more serious charges of lewd acts with a minor and child pornography, says Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti.

What is interesting in this Santa Ana case is there is an argument to be made whether or not the suspect was really committing indecent exposure since one of the main elements of the crime of indecent exposure involves drawing attention to one's genitals, and an experienced defense attorney needs to ask, was the suspect really drawing attention, or trying to be discreet as possible about it, explains Guisti.

One of the other elements of indecent exposure is it has to take place in a public place, and certainly the library is a public place, but was the computer the suspect using is a secluded location and were people easily offended, says Guisti.

The suspect is also being charged with lewd acts in public, which, interestingly enough, is only a misdemeanor, says Guisti.

Now the reason it's important to argue whether or not the the crime of indecent exposure took place is it's a "wobblier," which means it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, and a felony conviction of indecent exposure can result in having to register as a sex offender for life and prison time, explains Guisti.

When it comes to these sorts of sex crimes police and the district attorney are always very quick to overcharge it, which is why if you're facing such a crime it's very important to call the expert Orange County sex crimes attorney at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti.

We have over a decade of winning sex crime cases for our clients in the Orange County courts of, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Westminster and Fullerton.

So please, call us now.

Santa Ana, Orange County - A Dana Point high school teacher was arrested for allegedly committing lewd acts on a child, according to the Orange County District Attorney.

Ricardo Aldana, 37, has been charged with seven felony counts of lewd acts on a child after allegedly picking up a 14-year-old girl from the private high school he worked at in San Juan Capistrano and allegedly taking her back to his house in Dana Point to commit the acts, according to DA investigators.

Investigators allege Aldana took the 14-year-old back to his Dana Point home seven times.

It's very important to understand the lewd acts with a child can result in several charges even if the alleged incident happened in one day, explains Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti.

For the crime of lewd acts with a child it's quite important to understand to invite this charge it doesn't have to be graphic "touching," but rather simply holding a child's hand for the purposes of being sexually aroused is enough to be charged with this sex crime, explains Guisti.

Should anybody ever find themselves accused of this crime it's very urgent to contact a professional attorney right away, because this is a crime that often causes an overreaction with prosecutors where they tend to guide with their emotions rather than logic, says Guisti.

Now lewd acts with a child can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, and many times prosecutors are going to try to charge it as a felony, but an experienced sex crimes defense attorney can reduce charges, or throw them out altogether, says Guisti.

This is easily a charge that can ruin your reputation simply for being accused, which is why you need to call the Orange County sex crimes attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away.

For over a decade our sex crimes legal experts have successfully won cases and protected our client's reputation in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego.

So please, call us now.

Santa Ana, Orange County - A former Orange County soccer coach of a boys recreational soccer team was charged with child molestation on a girl he met online.

The suspect, Robert Peace, a native of the United Kingdom, was arrested last week following a multi-agency investigation by members of the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force.

Among the charges Peace faces is lewd acts with a minor who was under 14.

Child sexual abuse charges are always taken very seriously, but, according to Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti, the big problem for defendants is emotions more than facts tend to guide prosecutors and the general public, which is why it's very important to have a professional Orange County sex crimes defense attorney on your side if you're ever accused of this crime.

One thing a defense lawyer does for you, says Guisti, is making sure the court of law and court of public opinion fairly hears your side of the story amid emotionally charged allegations such as sexual molestation of children.

Now felony lewd acts with a minor is kind of a catch all in these situation and it's very possible the suspect could face more charges including, PC 269 aggravated sexual assault of a child, PC 286(c) sodomy with a child, PC 288.5 continuous sexual abuse of a child, PC 289(j) sexual penetration with a person under 14, PC 261.5(d) statutory rape with a minor under 16, according to Guisti.

In many cases like this the district attorney tends to overcharge cases, and having retained a professional sex crimes defense lawyer your attorney will work to reduce and dismiss these charges, and most importantly, says Guisti, a professional sex crimes defense lawyer will make sure evidence and other information proving your innocence is entered into trial and not conveniently left out.

Guisti does say that even though this may seem hopeless it's so important to understand you do have defense options, which has lead to many of his clients being found not guilty of these serious charges.

Here in California if you're convicted of sex crimes with a minor it's typically a felony with many years in a state prison and you must register as a sex offender for life.

If you're facing child sexual abuse charges it's very important to contact our Orange County sex crimes attorney experts right away at 888-478-8999 at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti.

This is an extraordinarily serious charge that you can't waste time on hiring a lawyer for, so call us now and our expert attorneys will see to it your side of the story is heard and that you can go back on with your life.

Laguna Hills, Orange County - A Laguna Hills school bus driver has been arrested on child molestation charges, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's investigators say the suspect, Shane Norman Crawford, 37, is accused of three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14 years old at his apartment.

Crawford, who reportedly drives buses for several schools in Orange County, brought the victims to his home after gaining the trust of the victim's parents, according to investigators.

Anytime there is a sex crime involving children the it's always very important for the defendant to obtain a professional attorney right away, says Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti, because in a lot of cases involving children prosecutors tend to let their emotions guide them rather than facts.

Just as well, an attorney will work to protect your reputation, explains Guisti.

It's important to note the victims were under the age of 14, and as such it's treated as a more serious charge and always charged as a felony, and if the victim was over 14 it could be a "wobbler," meaning it can be charged either as a misdemeanor or felony.

In these sort of sex crime cases a good defense will look at the creditably of the victims, and while it may seem wrong to question the children, explains Guisti, you have to remember there have been many cases where children have made up such allegations.

If convicted the suspect could face up to eight years in state prison for each count and have to register as a sex offender for life, explains Guisti.

The charge of child molestation and lewd acts with a child are very serious and can have life altering consequences, and if you or somebody you know are facing such charges you must call the Orange County sex crimes attorney at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right now at 888-478-8999.

Even though this is a very serious charge understand you have defense options, and our expert criminal attorneys have over a decade of experience winning even the most difficult cases for our clients in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego.

Our goal is to win your case.

San Bernardino - A former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy was ordered to stand trial Wednesday on six felony counts that he had sex with an underage female who was in the sheriff's department's Explorer program.

Ex-deputy Nathan Gastineau is accused of having sex with the former female Explorer scout at least six times at his Redlands apartment before her 16th birthday, according to the San Bernardino District Attorney.

The DA's report claims the ex-deputy and female had sex at least one time out in the field in his patrol car.

The reason it's important to note sexual action took place before the female's 16th birthday is, explains Newport Beach criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti, under California law any person over the age of 21, as was the ex-deputy, who participates in an act of oral copulation with a minor under 16 years of age charged with a felony.

Interestingly enough, Guisti goes on to say, penetration between a person 21 years or order and a person under 16-years-old can be charged either as a felony or misdemeanor, unlike oral copulation with a minor, which is a felony.

Statutory rape charges are taken very seriously by the courts of Southern California and most prosecutors will look for a "loophole" and try to get a more serious charge, and in this case it is the act of oral copulation with another person who is under 16 years of age, according to Guisti.

Statutory rape is often a very emotionally driven charge that prosecutors, often pushed by overzealous parents, look to overcharge and it's not uncommon for the DA's office to charge a suspect with a more serious charge like oral copulation or a minor or even the much more serious charge of lewd acts with a minor, explains Guisti.

Furthermore, Guisti goes on to say, prosecutors often will charge the suspect each time the offense allegedly occurred.

A professional attorney can work to have all the charges reduced to one single charge and, perhaps most importantly, can work to have the overcharges dismissed, explains Guisti.

The charge of statutory rape is very serious charge that can not only ruin your reputation, but send you to prison, and this is why if you or somebody you love is being accused of this crime you must contact the Orange County sex crimes attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999.

Our experienced sex crime lawyers have over a decade of successfully winning even the most difficult sex crime cases for our clients in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.

No matter the crime our goal is to always win the case for our client, because we never settle for anything less, so please, give us a call now.

Laguna Hills, Orange County - Laguna Hills is the latest Orange County city on the verge of passing a law banning convicted sex offenders from all city parks.

City officials are still working out the details, but if the measure passes, as is expected, most serious sex offenders would be banned from Laguna Hills' park.

If caught breaking this law the registered sex offender could face a misdemeanor charge of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500 or both.

Irvine, Yorba Linda, Westminster and Huntington Beach have passed similar bans within the last year.

Even though the city has loosely defined those to be banned from their city parks as "serious sex offenders" Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti explains Laguna Hills should define the level of sex offenders who are to be banned from city parks, because if the city approves a law banning all sex offenders that could easily include somebody who was caught urinating or a couple who were caught in public doing more than making out.

Guisti says he clearly understands the reasons cities have enacted this law, but some proposals in Orange County would prevent low-level sex offenders who are parents from taking their children to the park, or from somebody being barred from seeking employment say at a job fair at a park or even from voting if the polling place is at a park, all of which poses the larger constitutional problem with these laws.

To avoid problems like this right now it may be best for a registered sex offender to seek an expungement and to get off the registered sex offender list, say Guisti.

With cities here in Orange County and across the country looking to ban sex offenders from parks and other public places the feeling among the legal community is at some point the question of the rights of sex offenders will probably make it to the U.S. Supreme Court, says Guisti.

Should these laws affect you, Guisti says, you're just going to have to wait until the issue is fully answered and clarified in the higher courts, and as much as it may not seem fair it's best that you fully obey these laws to avoid any further problems.

Sex crimes are taken very seriously in the courts and just an accusation can quickly ruin your reputation, which is why if you're being accused of this crime you need to contact the Orange County sex crimes attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away at, 888-478-8999.

We have a very successful track record of winning even the toughest sex crime cases for our clients, which is why you must give us a call now so we can prepare to win your case and you can go on with your life.

Santa Ana, Orange County - A Santa Ana man was arrested on sex crime charges this week after prosecutors alleged he sexually assaulted two girls, 9 and 12, whom prosecutors say he met through church after befriending their families.

The suspect, David Elifar Verduzco, 32, of Santa Ana, is being charged with the felony counts of Penal Code (PC) 289 sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger and PC 288 lewd acts with a child.

Santa Ana criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti says when faced with charges like this it's very important to hire a professional sex crimes attorney, because your attorney can prepare a stellar defense for you, or work out a plea deal and reduce charges.

When it comes to children and alleged sex crimes a lot of emotions get involved that tend to guide the district attorney and prosecutor's decisions more than facts, which is why it's very important to retain an attorney right away, says Guisti.

It sounds very horrible to say given the charges, says Guisti, but to ensure justice for all a defense lawyer will investigate the children making the claims, because there have been a lot of cases where children have falsely made such serious allegations.

Such serious allegations can quickly ruin a person's reputation before there is any trial, which is all the more reason to contact a defense lawyer, says Guisti.

When you're facing a very serious charge like this, says Guisti, it's important to think of your lawyer as your public relations person who will make sure your side of the story is fairly heard.

If convicted of this crime the Santa Ana man faces up to 60 years in prison.

If you're facing such serious charges it's very important to contact our Orange County sex crimes attorney experts right away at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999.

Our track record proves when our clients are facing extremely serious sex crime charges in the courts of Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego we get our client's cases dismissed, found not guilty, or given a very good plea deal all so they can go back on with their lives.

A sex crime charge is not a charge to fool around with, so please, give us a call.

Fullerton, Orange County- Fullerton authorities are looking for a man accused of a sexual battery crime near Fullerton College last month.

Police say the suspect, who is believed to be a Fullerton College student, reached under the victim's skirt and forcefully grabbed her buttocks and genital area.

Fullerton criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti says the crime of sexual battery is when a person unlawfully touches another person for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, and under Penal Code 243.4 this crime is a "wobbler," which means it can be charged either as a misdemeanor or felony.

How is crime was committed will make all the difference in whether this suspect is charged with a felony or misdemeanor, according to Guisti.

In most misdemeanor cases usually the "touch" occurs over the victim's clothing and in many of these cases it's made to appear "accidental," where as in most felony cases the "touch" is usually over the victim's bare body, says Guisti.

In this incident near Fullerton College the suspect will likely face felony sexual battery charges since he allegedly made an attempt to "touch" the victim's bare skin, according to Guisti.

If you or anybody you know are ever facing these charges, Guisti says, it's very important to contact a professional attorney who can work out a defense for you, because, even though it may not seem so, you do have defense options.

If convicted of felony sexual battery the suspect could face between two to four years in a state prison, up to a $10,000 fine, probation and having to register as a sex offender for life.

If you're facing sexual battery charges contact the Orange County sex crimes attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away at 888-478-8999.

We'll work on a winning defense for you, and our record shows we have over a decade of successfully winning cases for our clients.

Irvine, Orange County - Within the past week there has been a growing child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State where authorities allege Jerry Sandusky, the former coach and defensive coordinator of the school's famed football team, sexually abused eight boys over a 15-year period.

This alleged crime has forced many officials at Penn State to resign, including legendary head coach Joe Paterno and Penn State President Graham Spanier is reportedly set to resign, according to media reports.

Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti explains child sexual abuse charges are always taken very seriously, but the big problem for defendants is emotions more than facts tend to guide prosecutors and the general public, which is why it's very important to have a professional Orange County sex crimes defense attorney on your side if you're ever accused of this crime.

One thing a defense lawyer does for you, says Guisti, is making sure the court of law and court of public opinion fairly hears your side of the story amid emotionally charged allegations such as sexual molestation of children.

Now this is occurring in Pennsylvania, but had this occurred here in California they're several charges, depending on the details of the case, Sandusky could face, including, Penal Code (PC) 288 felony lewd acts with a minor, PC 269 aggravated sexual assault of a child, PC 286(c) sodomy with a child, PC 288.5 continuous sexual abuse of a child, PC 289(j) sexual penetration with a person under 14, PC 261.5(d) statutory rape with a minor under 16, according to Guisti.

In many cases like this the district attorney tends to overcharge cases, and having retained a professional sexual abuse defense lawyer your attorney will work to reduce and dismiss these charges, and most importantly, says Guisti, a professional sex crimes defense lawyer will make sure evidence and other information proving your innocence is entered into trial and not conveniently left out.

Guisti does say that even though this may seem hopeless it's so important to understand you do have defense options, which, Guisti says, has lead to many of his clients being found not guilty of these serious charges.

Here in California if you're convicted of sex crimes with a minor it's usually a felony with many years in a state prison and you must register as a sex offender for life, says Guisti.

If you're facing child sexual abuse charges it's very important to contact our Orange County sex crimes attorney experts right away at 888-478-8999 at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti.

This is an extraordinarily serious charge that you can't waste time on hiring a lawyer for, so call us now and our expert attorneys will see to it your side of the story is heard and that you can go back on with your life.

Huntington Beach, Orange County - Huntington Beach is the latest Orange County city to consider an ordinance banning registered sex offenders from their city parks, which, if approved, violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine or jail time, if convicted.

Huntington Beach has 184 registered sex offenders, 94 of those are registered with the California Megan's Law Website and another 90 are not required to publicly disclose their status but have registered with the police department, according to a city report.

Orange, Tustin and Fullerton have already have some type of ordinance banning sex offenders from their park while other cities, like Costa Mesa, Westminster, and Mission Viejo, are considering such a rule

Huntington Beach criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti explains that city is going to need to define the level of sex offenders who are to be banned from city parks, because if the city approves a law banning all sex offenders that could easily include somebody who was caught urinating or a couple who were caught in public doing a little more than making out.

They're even some proposals in Orange County that would prevent sex offenders who are parents from taking their children to the park, according to Guisti.

To avoid problems like this it may be best for a registered sex offender to seek and expungement and to get off the registered sex offender list, say Guisti.

With cities here in Orange County and across the country looking to ban sex offenders from parks and other public places the feeling among the legal community is at some point the question of the rights of sex offenders will probably make it to the U.S. Supreme Court, says Guisti.

If you're facing a sex crime charge or need an expungement call the Orange County sex crime attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999.

With over of a decade of experience our law firm has successfully won cases for our clients accused of sex crimes.

Fullerton, Orange County - At least three woman have come forward accusing an anesthesiologist at Placentia-Linda Hospital of sexual battery while undergoing surgery, according to authorities.

Yashwant B. Giri is accused of sexual battery on three females, a 16-year-old, 28-year-old and 36-year-old, who were under his care, according to detectives.

Employees at the hospital reported witnessed Giri abusing two of the victims, according to a police statement.

Fullerton criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti says sexual battery under Penal Code 243.4 is essentially when a person unlawfully touches a "private part" another person against their will for sexual arousal.

Sexual battery is a "wobbler," which means it can be charged either as a felony or misdemeanor.

Now it's the elements of the crime that make the difference on whether it's charged as a a misdemeanor or felony, and basically it amounts to how you committed the crime and whether or not you "touched" the bare skin of the "private parts," according to Guisti.

In most misdemeanor sexual battery cases the touch is generally over the clothes and the person wasn't restrained in any way, according to Guisti.

Now in felony sexual battery cases the touch either has to be skin-to-skin contact and/or the person had to be somehow restrained, institutionalized and medically incapacitated, according to Guisti.

Now if the suspect in this case was seen allegedly "touching" the victims skin-to-skin then it's a felony, but if the suspect allegedly touched the victims over their clothes, but were under medical care then it's best for Giri to contact an Orange County criminal defense attorney who could argue the merits of the victims being institutionalized and medically incapacitated, which could bring the charges to a misdemeanor, says Guisti.

If convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery the suspect could face several months in Orange County jail and must register as a sex offender, and if convicted of felony sexual battery the suspect faces between two to four years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines and must register as a sex offender, according to Guisti.

If you've been accused of sexual battery it's very important to contact our experienced Orange County sex crimes attorney at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999.

We'll hear your side of the story and work to get you the best possible outcome so you can go on with your life.

Newport Beach, Orange County - An Irvine dance teacher is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at an Irvine school.

Brandon Christopher Marriott, 21, of Westminster, is charged with three felony counts of sexual assault, according to the Orange County District Attorney.

The alleged sexual assault occurred in the parking lot of a movie theater, according to the DA.

Newport Beach criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti points outs the crime of sexual assault under Penal Code 243.4 is when a person unlawfully touches another person for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse.

This crime is a "wobbler," which means it can be charged either as a misdemeanor or felony and one of the main differences on how it's charge is if the suspect allegedly touched the person outside on their clothes or touched the bare skin, according to Guisti.

If you touched a person outside of their clothing, even in the area of their "private parts," it's charged as a misdemeanor, says Guisti.

If convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery each charge carries up to six months in Orange County jail, while each felony charge carries up to four years in state prison.

The biggest issue if convicted of this crime regardless if it was a felony or misdemeanor, says Guisti, is having to register as a lifetime sex offender.

If you're being accused of sexual assault you must call the Orange County sexual assault attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away at 888-478-8999.

Our legal experts will work to get you the best possible outcome so you can go on with your life.

Laguna Nigel, Orange County - A 44-year-old hockey mother was arrested on suspicion of having unlawful sex and committing lewd acts with two members of her son's youth hockey team, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The mother was arrested last week at her home on suspicion of having unlawful sex with a minor under 16 and committing lewd acts with a minor under 14, according to the sheriff's department.

Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti explains these are two very serious charges and given the age difference between the suspect and alleged victims if convicted the mother could face a harsher sentence.

Sex with a minor is cover under California's statutory rape laws, which makes engaging in sexual intercourse with a person under 18 illegal.

Guisti says in this case since the suspect is over 21 and the victim is under 16 the mother in question could be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony in this case.

In statutory rape cases where a suspect and victim are less than three years about it must be charged as a misdemeanor, according to Guisti

A felony conviction for statutory rape can carry up to four years in a state prison, but the mother would not have to register as a lifetime sex offender, says Guisti.

As for lewd acts with a minor Guisti says that is when a person touches a child anywhere on the body, including outside of the clothing, if it's done with the intent of arousing or gratifying the lust, passions or sexual desires of you or the child.

For somebody to be charged with this crime it's very important to note that you don't have to touch the child in a lewd or sexual manner, only that the touch appeals to your lustful desires, according to Guisti.

Guisti explains depending on the age differences between the victim and suspect lewd acts with a child can be charged also either as a misdemeanor or felony.

If convicted of felony lewd acts with a child the suspect face between one to eight years in prison and, unlike a statutory rape conviction, would have to register as a sex offender for life, says Guisti.

Most times the courts are very quick to side with minors when they're allegedly the victim, especially when it concerns sex crimes, and that is why if you're facing similar charges you must call our Orange County sex crimes attorney specialists at the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at 888-478-8999. Why? So our legal experts fully ensure the court fairly hears your side of the story without any bias from the prosecution.

We'll work to get you the best possible outcome.

Laguna Hills, Orange County - A Laguna Hills priest was arrested last weekend for allegedly committing lewd acts with a minor, which the victim is reportedly the son of a member of the Priest's church, according to court documents.

The reports says the alleged victim was younger than 14 years old and told investigators that he was abused during a sleepover at the house of Priest Oscar Perez, a bishop of the Old Catholic Church in Laguna Hills.

Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti says lewd acts with a minor is a very serious charge that can land you many years behind state prison bars and have to register as a sex offender for life if convicted.

It is important to understand lewd acts with a minor is a very broadly defined crime as to be accused of this crime simply touching a child on the shoulder above clothing and allegedly becoming aroused is enough to be charged with this crime, according to Guisti.

Guisti says to be charged with this crime prosecutors must show that you willfully touched any part of a child's body, made them touch your body or another' person's body or made the child touch themselves with the intent of arousing the sexual desires of you or the child.

If the "touch" was accidental and/or you didn't have and never had criminal intent, that is to say you never had the intention to sexually arouse or gratify yourself or the minor, then you're not guilty of this crime, according to Guisti.

Child molestation is a very serious charge that can not only send you to prison, but can ruin your reputation, and if you're being accused of this crime you must contact the child molestation defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away at 888-478-8999 so we can defend you and restore your reputation.