STOCKTON — On the day of his sentencing in Stockton Superior Court, Michael Berchtold was given a reprieve after pleading guilty to one count of lewd acts upon a child.

The case was continued Tuesday, Aug. 18, after it was announced that Berchtold had retained a new attorney.

Represented by Albert Ellis since shortly after his arrest in July 2008, Berchtold recently hired Darby Williams to represent him. Due to the change, a Stockton judge Tuesday agreed to allow Williams time to review the case, and Berchtold’s hearing was rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 19 in Stockton Superior Court.

Williams said outside the courtroom she was hired to represent Berchtold by members of his family. She wouldn’t discuss why Ellis no longer was Berchtold’s attorney. Ellis could not be reached for comment.

Berchtold, a former third-grade teacher at Widmer Elementary School in Lathrop, faced two counts of lewd acts upon a child and six counts of child molestation. His accusers, four former students, testified against him at a preliminary hearing in October 2008, and he was held to answer to the charges.

Berchtold accepted a plea bargain from the District Attorney’s Office just as jury selection was to begin for a trial in June. Berchtold agreed to admit guilt to one of the eight charges he faced.