Perhaps actor Sean Penn isn't known as the most friendly person in Los Angeles, but the paparazzi may not be messing with him again after he reportedly kicked a photographer and broke his camera.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Oscar winning actor was initially charged with battery and vandalism after the incident, but Sean Penn's Los Angeles criminal defense attorney was able to establish a plea deal with prosecutors and end the assault case against him. On Wednesday, the actor pleaded no contest to a vandalism charge as part of the plea deal.
A judge sentenced the actor to 36 months of probation and 300 hours of community service. He will also have to undergo 36 hours of anger management classes and stay at least 100 yards away from the victim, Jordan Dawes. But perhaps all of these punishments can be considered fairly lenient, since he could have faced up to 18 months behind bars with the conviction.
Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Richard Hirsch told the San Francisco Chronicle that Sean Penn has "decided to accept the terms and move on."
If the actor is able to successfully complete all of the terms of his sentence, he will be allowed to reduce his criminal charge of vandalism to disturbance of the peace, which is considered a less severe crime. Associated Press reports that Sean Penn had several run-ins with photographers and paparazzi members during the 1980s, but the actor managed to remain out of legal trouble up until recently.
Related Resources:
- Sean Penn Facing Criminal Charges (FindLaw's Los Angeles Criminal Law Blog)
- Actor Sean Penn Charged with Battery and Vandalism (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice Blog)
- See a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
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