TMZ, one of the leading paparazzi media outlets, had one of its photographers attacked by actor Woody Harrelson. The attack occured in New York's Laguardia Airport. As the paparazzi asked Harelson questions, the actor shoved the camera into the photographer's eye, causing it to temporarily stop recording. A few seconds later the video returns but then the screen goes black again -- you can still hear Harrelson attack full bore, ripping the camera out of the photog's hands.
The paparazzi says Woody smashed the camera to the ground, breaking it. Harrelson then picked the camera up and began walking away with it. The photographer followed him, claiming he was assaulted and demanded that Harrelson return the camera. That's when Harrelson attacked again, striking the paparazzi repeatedly and grabbing his neck.
The paparazzi have had a hard time dealing with the laws in California, and now are treated as criminals. The nation's first civil anti-paparazzi law went into effect in California on January 1, 1999. This protects celebrities against physical invasion of privacy where a trespass occurs, as well as constructive invasion of privacy, where no trespass occurs but an audio- or video-enhancing device is used to violate a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, this law apparently wasn't enough to thwart paparazzi activities so on September 30, 2005, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law an anti-paparazzi bill to punish Paparazzi for assaults and altercations caused by their attempts to photograph celebrities. The new law expands the Anti-Paparazzi Act, Section 1708.8 of the Civil Code, tripling the damages that may be awarded to a celebrity, and denies photographers the right to profit from images illegally taken during intrusions.
We are Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys focusing exclusively on criminal defense and we aggressively defend those accused of criminal offenses in California. We have over 90 years combined criminal experience and we know how to get the best possible results for our clients. If you are a paparazzi and being charged with any paparazzi crimes please contact us to discuss your case.
Don't settle for a "guilty" plea. Being convicted of a crime in California can lead to jail, hefty fines and a criminal record. Let Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates, a team of experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys, represent you in court. Call us now for a FREE CONSULTATION.
