Santa Barbara DA Statement On Michael Jackson

THOMAS W. SNEDDON, JR.
District Attorney
Santa Barbara County

DATE: November 19, 2003
RE: Michael Jackson

District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon, Jr. today announced that members of his investigative staff yesterday participated and assisted Sheriff’s personnel in the execution of three search warrants—one at Neverland Ranch and two in locations in the Southern California area.

As indicated in the Sheriff’s release, a Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge has issued a warrant for Michael Jackson’s arrest. It is anticipated that formal charges will be filed very soon. We anticipate filing multiple counts of child molesting in violation of Penal Code section 288.

California has a determinate sentencing law and the determinant sentencing range choices available to a judge upon sentencing would be 3-6-8 years. The sentencing judge may sentence consecutively on multiple counts, but any consecutive sentence is limited by one-third of the mid-term or two years. Two years for each subsequent convicted count.

We will not be releasing any information about the specifics of the charges, the victim or the time frames involved. Some of this information will be contained in the formal charging complaint when filed.

Sneddon emphasized that there were several factors different about this investigation:

1) Law no longer allows child victim who obtains civil settlement to refuse to testify.

2) No civil suit filed or anticipated.

3) Arrest warrant already issued and charges will be filed.

4) We have a cooperative victim.

ENDS

© Scoop Media