Westminster, CA — In general, our criminal justice system attempts to be proportional. Punishments are weighted against the severity of the crime for which they are issued. Often convicts are temporarily or permanently deprived of freedom, forced to make remuneration for their crimes, and they can even be put to death. And even after their release, their criminal record can make it difficult to find employment and earn a livelihood. Because of the harsh punishments that are meted out for the worst crimes, it is especially important to ensure that people who have been accused of a crime are allowed to make a rigorous defense in court.
On Monday, Ryan Eric Galliher, 33, was arraigned at the Westminster Courthouse on multiple sex crimes charges. Galliher, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department pleaded not guilty to two felony counts: attempted lewd act with a child under 14 and contacting a minor with intent to commit a lewd act, and five misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure.
All of the alleged incidents of indecent exposure occurred at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach between February and October of last year. According to prosecutors, Galliher exposed himself to the same 12-year-old girl in two separate incidents, and later to two women who were jogging after he whistled to get their attention. He was arrested on October 23rd while allegedly masturbating in public.
Galliher has been re-assigned to home and is also the subject of an internal LAPD inquiry. After entering his plea, Galliher was allowed to leave the courthouse on $100,000 bail and is due to return for a pretrial hearing in February. The maximum sentence for these charges is four years in state prison and mandatory lifetime registration as a sex offender.
In addition to jail time and other penalties, a sex crimes conviction is often also accompanied by registration as a sex offender. This can severely restrict the places where a convicted sex offender can live, work, and spend their free time. Due to the severity of this punishment, it is vital to make sure that anyone tried for such a heinous crime be given the opportunity to make a strong defense.
If you've been charged with a serious crime like lewd acts with a minor or indecent exposure, the best move is to hire legal representation. An experienced criminal defense attorney is an invaluable asset when you're facing any criminal charge and can help you make informed decisions about your courtroom defense.
At the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti, we're passionate about standing up for our clients'
rights. In our 16 years of practicing law in Southern California, we've built a strong record of having charges reduced or dismissed. Our team of top-notch defense lawyers know the best strategies for fighting all kinds of criminal charges like DUI, domestic violence, murder, theft, and fraud. If you bring your case to us, we'll do everything in our power to provide you with the best possible defense.
We're proud to serve the diverse communities of Orange and LA Counties, and maintain offices in Irvine, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Newport Beach in order to be close to state and federal district courts. As part of our commitment to serving communities as varied as Huntington Beach, Westminster, and Anaheim, we offer foreign language services in Spanish, Chinese, and other languages for our clients who need it.
So if you need help fighting sex crimes or other criminal accusations in Southern California, call the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 707-2797 for a free consultation.
Source:
Puente, Kelly and Doug Morino. "LAPD cop pleads not guilty to lewd acts, indecent exposure in Huntington Beach." http://www.ocregister.com/articles/galliher-647164-lewd-lapd.html. Orange County Register. January 5, 2015.
