As anticipated, the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges of child molestation today against Michael Jackson. Jackson's lawyer, Michael Jackson, said he will fight these charges "with every fiber of his being." We believe it. We hope he prevails.

nine-count felony complaint charged Jackson with seven counts alleging lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. The molestation charges each carry between three and eight years in prison.

No specific details of the alleged acts were included in the complaint, which repeatedly stated they were committed "with the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions, and sexual desires" of Jackson and the child. The complaint further alleged that Jackson had "substantial sexual conduct" with the child in February and March.