In Los Angeles with so many resident celebrities, there are bound to be instances where obsessed fans try to get too close and invade the privacy of stars who are just trying to live as normal a life as possible.
In a recent case, Disney pop star Selena Gomez, 19, had to file for a Los Angeles restraining order against a person who was allegedly stalking her. And in some cases, the alleged stalking turns criminal, as is the case of a man accused of stalking actress Halle Berry, 45, recently. The suspect pleaded not guilty to felony charges.
But restraining orders aren't just for celebrities. In cases of domestic violence in Los Angeles, spouses or significant others may seek a search warrant in order to protect themselves from a person whom they fear.
On the opposite side are the people who have restraining orders filed against them. In Los Angeles, a person can file for a restraining order based solely on his or her word without any defense. A judge can issue a temporary restraining order until a hearing is held to determine if the order should be made permanent. That means that a person can be arrested if they violate a temporary restraining order even if they weren't able to show a judge the order shouldn't be in place. A violation can mean having contact with the person, attempting to harass them or coming to their home, work or school.
A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can assist in either situation. Whether a person feels they were victimized and require protection, or a person feels they have been wrongly accused, an attorney can help sort out the problems.
In Gomez's case, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that she obtained a restraining order against a 46-year-old man who she alleges made plans to kill her after a conversation he said he had with God.
The star of Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" told the court that the man visited her workplace at least three times. The man has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from her, her assistant and her parents.
The Los Angeles Police Department, according to court records, was taking the alleged murder plot seriously based on the man's actions, a mental illness and a history of stalking and criminal threats.
Actress Halle Berry has experienced stalkers as well. According to E! Online, a man accused of breaking into her home has pleaded not guilty to felony burglary and stalking charges. He now has a trial date set for December.
The man was arrested July 11 after Berry's security guards caught him on her Hollywood Hills property three times in three days. Police allege that he broke into her guest house and scaled a wall to spy on her, prompting her to obtain a restraining order. He is banned from coming within 500 yards of her house and her family and he can't contact them. He has been in custody since his arrest.
If you need to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates at 213-223-2173 for a free consultation.
More Blog Entries:
Peeper Arrested at Paris Hilton's Malibu Home; Another Los Angeles Stalking Case: July 15, 2011
Starbucks Hidden Camera Case Shows Need For Los Angeles Restraining Orders: June 11, 2011
Additional Resources:
Selena Gomez gets restraining order against alleged stalker, by Veronica Rocha, Los Angeles Times
Halle Berry's Alleged Stalker Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Date Set, by Josh Grossberg and Claudia Rosenbaum
