A movie producer, who was convicted of recklessly operating an aircraft in a manner that endangered life and property, was sentenced last week to 60 days in jail and fined $900 for the misdemeanor crime. The Los Angeles Times also reports that Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Harold Cherness placed the defendant, David Riggs, on three years' probation and ordered the man to clean city beaches for 60 days.
Some Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys may argue that this is a stiff sentence for a misdemeanor crime. David Riggs faced a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1000 fine, but the violation comes from a rarely used section of the state public utilities code.
The conviction stems from an incident in which the movie producer and pilot disregarded federal aviation regulations by flying too low along the shoreline of Santa Monica beach and too close to the Santa Monica pier, startling beachgoers. David Riggs did the stunt with a 1973 Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros for the purpose of promoting a film that his company was making.
The man's Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer is trying to appeal the jail time portion of the sentence. During David Riggs' hearing, defense lawyer John Duran argued that the stunt was carefully choreographed by a skilled pilot and that the pilot maintained the required altitudes and distances between his plane, the beach, the pier and those on the ground.
Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys can often help their clients by appealing a conviction or a sentence. A person looking to file a formal appeal should contact a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer to learn more information about the process.
Related Resources:
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The Basis for an Appeal (FindLaw)
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Getting a Lawyer for your Appeal (FindLaw)
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