Michael Jackson surrendered himself to California authorities today on child molestation charges ('lewd or lascivious acts with a child under age 14'), was booked, and was released on $3 million bail. He'll be formally charged 'after Thanksgiving', and his arraignment is scheduled for January 9.

According to Jackson's spokesman, 'Michael would never harm a child in any way. These scurrilous and totally unfounded allegations will be proven false in a courtroom. Naturally, the implications are distressing to everyone who hears them, which is precisely the point.' It's very possible, of course, that Jackson's interpretation of 'harming a child' and the legal system's definition might not coincide.

Jackson's legal team is led by Mark Geragos, currently in the news as Scott Peterson's attorney in his upcoming trial for the murder of his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child Conner.

Jackson faced similar child molestation accusations in 1993, and reportedly paid the family between $15 and $40 million to settle the case. The boy then declined to testify, leading to a change in California law to compel alleged victims of child abuse to testify in criminal court if they receive civil settlements.

High-profile California attorney Gloria Allred has asked child welfare authorities to remove Jackson's three children from his custody while he's awaiting trial. Allred, while not currently involved in this case, had represented the family that brought the 1993 molestation charges against Jackson; and she's currently representing Amber Frey, the former girlfriend of (and potential witness against) Scott Peterson.