Orange County Criminal Defense Blog

Under California law, capital murder can be the most severe charge you could possibly face. Capital murder is defined as first-degree murder accompanied by special circumstances. In other words, it is a form of first-degree murder that has been elevated to capital murder due to certain factors in the case. What separates capital murder from first-degree murder are the punishments capital murder charges carry. If you are found guilty, you could be facing execution by means of lethal gas or lethal injection, or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Read the rest »

We were quite impressed with the near 1200 applications we received from talented students across the country! We’d like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to visit our website and share your inspiring essays with us for the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti 2016 Scholarship. It was long, meticulous process, but after careful consideration, we arrived at our list of finalists. So here, in no particular order, are those finalists: Read the rest »

A first-degree murder charge is one of the most severe charges you can find yourself being accused of, and as a result, it is important to know what your options are and how to prepare for an approaching trial. First-degree murder is where you intentionally kill someone unlawfully as a result of your deliberate acts of premeditation and planning. Therefore, a prosecutor must prove that the defendant possessed intent or “malice aforethought,” and that the defendant committed the actual murder itself. Read the rest »

What kind of attorney do you need?

A real fighter who’ll kick some DA A–?

An attorney who knows all the judges and prosecutors and meets with them socially?

Can I state the obvious? Read the rest »

Being accused and convicted of an assault with a deadly weapon charge is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. It is important to understand not only what constitutes this crime but also the specific factors involved that will determine what your possible punishment could be if convicted. California Penal Code 245(a)(1) defines this crime as the attempt to assault someone with the added use of a deadly weapon. Standing in front of a person and pointing a gun at them or wielding a knife with the threat of stabbing someone are both examples of assault with a deadly weapon. Read the rest »

In Orange County, drug crimes span a wide range of potential charges and penalties that all vary depending on the type of drug found, the amount of the drug discovered, what the defendant intended to do with it, and the defendant’s own criminal history. California’s Health and Safety Code defines the different drug crime laws, what is involved in each drug crime charge, the possible defenses one could utilize, and the punishments in place for each type of charge. The three most common drug crimes are possession, possession with the intent to sell, and sale or transportation of a controlled substance. Read the rest »

When it comes to weed, Silicon Valley is no stranger to the green stuff. Undoubtedly, the tech-hub is probably one of the biggest consumers of marijuana in the state. So, it should come as no surprise that a major player in the online world is backing a measure to get pot legalized. Read the rest »

Traffic. Gridlock. Bumper-to-bumper. Even hinting at some of these conditions can put some people’s teeth on edge. Unfortunately, no matter what term is used to describe the flow of vehicles on Southern California roads, it always adds up to one thing: frustration. Depending on the time of day, the location, and the freeway, that frustration can rapidly switch into anger. Anger at the driver in front of you. Anger at the motorcyclist coming up behind you. Anger at the general lack of movement. Read the rest »

If you are an immigrant facing deportation due to a criminal charges, it is important to seek proper legal counsel as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to maintain your status. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to have the charges vacated or get a waiver allowing you to remain in the country. But, you’ll have to act fast. Get the representation you need today, through an experienced immigration or criminal defense firm. Read the rest »

Orange County is no stranger to white-collar crime. Whether we’re taking about mail fraud, bribery, or computer crimes, the O.C. experiences more than its fair share of financial malfeasance. But, if you’ve been accused of committing a white-collar crime, the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti can help. We’re a dedicated criminal defense firm that will use every resource and every angle to defend your interests. In this post, we’re going to explore embezzlement – what it is, where we see it most often, and what it can mean for your future. Read the rest »