When fandom become obsession, celebrities get understandably frightened, police become suspicious and judges act. Last week a Los Angeles judge extended the temporary restraining order against Robert Michael O'Ryan for allegedly stalking 17-year-old gymnast Shawn Johnson. Police caught O'Ryan packing a gun and trying to break into the Dancing With the Stars studio. Johnson is a participant on the hit TV show this season.
In another event last week, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies arrested Miranda Tozier-Robbins after security guards caught her peeking in the windows of Britney Spears' Calabasas home. Tozier-Robbins, a fifth season American Idol hopeful who auditioned with the Spears' ballad Everytime, was toting a camera and dressed in camouflage gear at the time of her arrest. She was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct before being released.
It's not just paparazzi who can be caught on the wrong side of the law when celebrity worship becomes obsessive. Stalking, trespassing, and breaking and entering are serious crimes in California, whether you're one of the paparazzi or a besotted fan. Even when the crime committed could be charged as a misdemeanor, having a gun in your possession when you commit a crime ramps the charge up to a felony.
Celebrity outcry and fear of tragedy led to California's enactment of anti-paparazzi laws in 1999 and their expansion in 2005. The laws have made it possible for paparazzi to be punished for becoming too aggressive in their efforts to photograph celebrities. Both civil and criminal charges are allowed. Paparazzi and aggressive fans can be charged with assault, battery, conspiracy, false imprisonment, stalking, and trespass. While most of these are usually charged as misdemeanors, some can also be charged as felonies. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony can make the difference between a fine and probation or a criminal conviction and serving time in jail.
Effective defense against a paparazzi charge requires aggressive representation by an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. Skilled L.A. criminal defense lawyer Stephen Rodriguez said the worst thing you can do if charged of a paparazzi crime is try to talk your way out of the situation. "Talking to law enforcement without consulting an attorney first is a mistake," said Rodriguez. For more information about paparazzi crimes, visit the website of Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn.
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