ORIGINAL PLEA BARGAIN

(Subsequently rejected by Judge at sentencing) 

THANK YOU to Jean Yokley for being there at the trial and promptly forwarding the verdict for us to view.

 

January 15, 2003

Judge Timothy Casserly, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Deputy District Attorney, K. Flaherty
Defendant Attorney, R.J. Dicks
 
                   The People of the State of California VS. Michael D. Garritson
In a plea bargain today, Michael D. Garritson pled guilty to one felony count. California Penal Code  597(b).  Counts 2-11 were dismissed. He was given probation. He may only have two animals on his property. He must resign from  the AKC for life. He will allow the Dept. of Animal Control access to view his property at any time without cause or notice. He will not engage in breeding, directly or indirectly. He will not have any puppies born on his property. He will pay restitution to the Dept. of Animal Control. He was ordered to report immediately to the probation dept.
    Judge Casserly said if he breaks the terms of probation, Judge Casserly will follow the letter of the law and give him considerable custody.
    Sentencing Hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2003 at 1:30pm. At that time the amount of restitution will be decided.

  • California Penal Code 597(b): Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a) or (c), every person who overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, cruelly beats, mutilates, or cruelly kills any animal, or causes or procures any animal to be so overdriven, overloaded, driven when overloaded, overworked, tortured, tormented, deprived of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter, or to be cruelly beaten, mutilated, or cruelly killed; and whoever, having the charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, subjects any animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon the animal, or in any manner abuses any animal, or fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather, or who drives, rides, or otherwise uses the animal when unfit for labor, is, for every such offense, guilty of a crime punishable as a misdemeanor or as a felony or alternatively punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony and by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).
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