Chants of celebration echoed throughout the Los Angeles area last week after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. However, those chants quickly turned into riots, leading to at least 42 arrests in the area last Thursday on suspicion of crimes that included arson, assault on a peace officer, battery, public drunkenness, resisting arrest, vandalism, and disturbing the peace.
The Los Angeles Times reported that as of Monday, 10 people were being charged with crimes by the City Attorney's Office. Prosecutors say that they're taking a very strong stand against the suspects and plan to impose the maximum sentence for the misdemeanor crimes, which is six months to one year in the county jail.
Senior Asst. City Attorney Chuck Goldenberg told the Los Angeles Times that it is likely more people will be charged with crimes from the unruly gatherings that occurred outside the Staples Center, in addition to the 10 people who have already been charged.
Because there were so many people in Los Angeles that were involved in the throwing of bottles, breaking windows of businesses, and setting trash bins on fire, police could have easily arrested innocent suspects. Anybody who has been arrested for a crime that they did not commit should definitely contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer right away. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can analyze all the evidence that prosecutors have in a particular case and make sure that a defendant's legal rights are protected.
Related Resources:
- Public Intoxication - Criminal Law (FindLaw)
- Find Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys (FindLaw)
- Elements of Battery (FindLaw)
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