Grand Jury Indictments in OC

Indictment is one of the formal processes by which charges can be filed against a defendant. For most lesser crimes, an arraignment (a formal reading of the charges) will suffice. But if a charge is serious enough, then prosecutors must seek an indictment from a grand jury. An indictment is not an indicator of guilty. It merely shows that the grand jury agrees that there is sufficient evidence for a case to go to trial.

Wire Fraud

Last week, a Laguna Beach resident was charged with wire fraud, according to a federal indictment which was unsealed on April 15th. According to prosecutors, Peter Reinart, 60, claimed that his companies, Fazer Technologies and Global Encryption Imaging Corp, were developing advanced technologies in order to attract millions of dollars in investments. Reinart then allegedly used that money to support a lavish lifestyle. A federal grand jury determined that there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing to indict Reinart on 14 counts of wire fraud.

Murder in a Foreign Country

Another recent Southern California indictment was in the case of Brian Karl Brimager, 37, who was accused of killing his girlfriend in Panama in 2011. According to federal prosecutors in San Diego, Brimager killed Dana Point resident Yvonne Baldelli, whose body was discovered in 2013. The two had moved to Panama together. Prosecutors were required to seek permission to indict Brimager under an obscure law related to murders committed in a foreign country. On April 17th, Brimager pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, obstruction of justice and making false statements to a federal officer.

Pre-trial Procedures in a Felony Case

An indictment is one of many pre-trial procedures that is likely to be held in a felony case. While it does show that there is some evidence linking the defendant to the crime, it is by no means conclusive evidence of guilt. However, as with an arrest or an arraignment, the best thing to do if you have been indicted is to make sure that you are represented by a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer.

I've practiced criminal law in Southern California since 1999, and I'm proud of the work that I've done to help people through the most difficult times of their life. Even though our courts are supposed to treat defendants as innocent until proven otherwise, there is still a strong social stigma attached to even being accused of a crime. That's why I'm so passionate about helping my clients fight all kinds of criminal charges.

I'm proud to stand up for my clients' rights. Even if someone has been accused of a crime, they are still a human being and entitled to the same dignity and respect afforded to everyone else. I make sure that my clients have a voice in court and I never give up on a case.

My firm has helped hundreds of people have charges like assault, theft, insurance fraud, murder, DUI, and hit-and-run reduced or dismissed. We aren't afraid to take on difficult cases that have garnered media attention. If you come to us, I'll make sure that your case receives the individual attention that it needs to succeed.

As I've expanded my practice to include four Orange County offices, I've been able to help clients from all walks of life in cities like San Clemente, Irvine, Brea, Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel, and Huntington Beach.

If you need help fighting criminal charges anywhere in Southern California, call the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 530-9690 for a free consultation.