Recent News - Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Law

SANGER & SWYSEN

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS - CIVIL TRIAL ATTORNEYS

SANTA BARBARA Office: 125 East De La Guerra Street, Suite 102, Santa Barbara, California 93101

SANTA MARIA Office: 301 East Cook Street, Suite A, Santa Maria, California 93454

Santa Barbara:805-962-4887 Santa Maria:805-349-7973 Fax: 805-963-7311

Call, 805-962-4887 (24 hour emergency page after hours) or

The Michael Jackson Trials

Robert Sanger, Partner in Sanger & Swysen, was co-counsel in the criminal trial of the late Michael Jackson in the Spring of 2005. Mr. Sanger and his firm had represented Mr. Jackson for 12 years prior to that, including during the 1993-94 grand jury investigations and in a sensational civil trial that Mr. Sanger and co-counsel Steve Cochran won on behalf of Mr. Jackson in 1996-97.

Mr. Jackson became a friend and was on his way to a new and exciting part of his career at the time of his tragic death. We will miss him.

(Left) Robert Sanger, and Senior Associate, Steve Dunkle, on their way into court in Santa Maria during the Michael Jackson 2005 trial. Mr. Dunkle was responsible for the law and motion and appellate work during the case. (Right) Mr. Sanger arrives at court with Mr. Jackson and co-counsel Tom Mesereau. Mr. Sanger and Mr. Mesereau were the two lawyers who handled the trial itself in the courtroom of Judge Rodney Melville.

The Honorable Rodney Melville, Judge of the Santa Barbara Superior Court (Ret.). Judge Melville did an excellent job of presiding over a very difficult case especially with regard to the unprecedented amount of international media attention given the case.

The arrival at the Courthouse in Santa Maria by Mr. Jackson, with his father and Mr. Sanger, after going to the hospital. Although he was late to court on this one occasion, Mr. Jackson arrived early every other day and sat through this ordeal of false accusations with dignity and resolve.

After four months of jury trial, Mr. Jackson was exonerated with a unanimous not guilty vote on all ten counts.

It was the third time that Michael Jackson was exonerated since 1993 while represented by Mr. Sanger in Santa Barbara. The original 1993 Grand Jury investigation, after months of legal procedures in court and months of presentation of evidence behind closed doors, resulted in a finding of no criminal activity. The 1996-97 civil case, brought by a disgruntled maid and security guards, resulted in an overwhelming victory for Mr. Jackson and his senior staff. The actual jury trial in that case lasted over six months resulting in verdicts in favor of Mr. Jackson on all causes of action, an award in Mr. Jackson's favor on cross-complaints against two of the plaintiffs and an award of sanctions against the plaintiffs and their lawyers for $66,000 as well as an award of attorneys fees and costs against the plaintiffs of over $1.4 million.

Then, in 2005, the verdicts of not guilty in the criminal trial.

These legal issues were over. By 2009, Michael Jackson was embarking on a new sensational venture in his career. He should and will be remembered as a kind and giving, intelligent and well-read man who was also one of the most gifted entertainers, musicians and choreographers of our time.

Catherine Swysen Receives Santa Barbara County Bar Humanitarian Award

Catherine Swysen was presented with the 2009, Richard Abbe Humanitarian Award for her outstanding efforts in the African country of Chad. Ms. Swysen is a member of the Board of the Chad Relief Foundation (CRF) and has made numerous trips to the country to further relief efforts for refugees from the Central Republic of Africa and for the local population. See the work of the CRF at http://www.chadrelief.org/.

Catherine Swysen Defends McGregor Eddy in Vandenberg Peace Protest Arrest

Sanger & Swysen Partner, Catherine Swysen, defended human rights advocate McGregor Eddy in the United States Magistrate's court in Santa Barbara. Ms. Eddy acknowledged that she had violated the law by crossing the "green line" at Vandenberg Air Force Base. She said she did so in order to hand the military personnel an explanation as to why the United States was wrong in fighting in Iraq. After a lengthy trial and a full sentencing hearing, Ms. Eddy was granted probation over the protests of the Assistant United States Attorney who was demanding jail time.

Ms. Eddy's case helped solidify opposition to the war. She had support from communities throughout California and elsewhere. Daniel Ellsberg, the man who released the Pentagon papers during the Vietnam war, not only supported Ms. Eddy but consulted on the defense.

Robert Sanger Given the Special Achievement Award for Work on the Death Penalty

Death Penalty Focus awarded Robert Sanger the Special Achievement Award for his work against the Death Penalty. The award was presented at the DPF Annual Dinner at the Beverly hilto Hotel in Los Angeles. In attendance were Mike Farrell, actor and human rights advocate, Harry Belafonte, Former First Lady Rosalind Carter, and numerous other celebrities, human rights advocates, lawyers and other professionals opposing the capital punishment.