San Diego Child Molestation Defense Lawyers & Attorney
Facing Child Molestation Charges in San Diego?
Few occasions can stir up as many complicated emotions as the sexual abuse of children. Even the mere mention of such an event can predispose people to the belief that all accused of such crimes are automatically guilty, and must pay for their alleged crimes with their freedom, their assets, and their reputations. The stigma of a child molestation charge can ruin a life without prompt legal action by dedicated and compassionate attorneys.
Child Molestation is the crime of committing sexual acts with children up to the age of 18, including touching of private parts, exposure of genitalia, taking of pornographic pictures, rape, inducement of sexual acts with the molester or with other children and variations of these acts by pedophiles. Molestation also applies to incest by a relative with a minor family member and any unwanted sexual acts with adults short of rape.
In San Diego, California, child molestation is a crime that can carry a permanent social shame and serious legal consequences. If you are convicted of child molestation in San Diego, the possible punishment for a conviction can be quite severe because of Megan’s Law, a California Child Molestation conviction could mean that you must register as a sex offender everywhere you go for the rest of your life.
If you have a San Diego child molestation charge, it is very important to seek confident San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyers that have experience handling child molestation cases throughout Southern California. We realize that discretion and understanding are as critical as aggressive protection of your rights, and our child molestation attorneys strive to deliver the best results possible for your case. Contact the San Diego criminal defense law firm of Steigerwalt Law Firm today!
San Diego Child Molestation Cases in the News: October, 2008.
October 30, 2008
Vista man pleads guilty to molesting relatives
EAST COUNTY COURTS: A Vista man pleaded guilty yesterday to molesting two teenage girls in the 1990s.
Peter Allen Battaglia, 54, pleaded guilty to charges of committing a forcible lewd act on a child, forcible rape on a child and rape by a foreign object with force, Deputy District Attorney John Philpott said outside of the courtroom.
Under the terms of a plea agreement accepted by El Cajon Superior Court Judge Peter C. Deddeh, Battaglia will be sentenced to 18 years in prison Jan. 12, Philpott said.
Battaglia had been charged with 19 felony counts of molesting the girls, who are now 25 and 29. Both women are related to Battaglia. –R.H.
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October 30, 2008
Man gets 12-year term for molesting two girls
SOUTH COUNTY COURTS: A former National City man was sentenced to 12 years in prison yesterday for molesting two girls who were his relatives.
Michael Ray Bolden, 56, must register as a sex offender and was ordered by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Esteban Hernandez to have no contact with the girls, who are 12 and 4.
Bolden pleaded guilty Oct. 1 to 19 counts of molesting the children while he lived in their National City home, prosecutors said. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, he faced a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison.
The 12-year-old told police she was molested repeatedly beginning when she was 6 or 7. The younger girl told her grandmother and father that Bolden touched her inappropriately. –R.H.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20081030-9999-1m30pubsafe.html
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SAN DIEGO – A 72-year-old man arrested earlier this month has been charged with 52 counts of child molestation involving at least five victims, including his great-granddaughter, San Diego police said Tuesday.
Francisco Javier Esquivel of Bay View Heights was taken into custody at his home Sept. 18 and is being held on $2.7 million bail, said San Diego police Sgt. Gary Mitrovich of the department’s child-abuse unit. The molestation allegations came to light in June 2007 when Esquivel’s 6-year-old great-granddaughter told her mother that her great-grandfather was touching her inappropriately, Mitrovich said. The alleged abuse happened during family visits to Esquivel’s home, he said.
The 52 counts include lewd and lascivious acts against a child under age 14 and lewd and lascivious acts against a child under 14 using force.
Esquivel was arraigned Friday, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 7. A legal resident, Esquivel was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during an immigration sweep and turned over to San Diego police.
Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080930-1353-bn30molest.html