Uninvited guests that show up to the Oscars, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, or any other glamorous Hollywood event might be able to walk away with just a slap on the wrist for the sin of party crashing. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) hopes to change this.
The Assembly member has proposed a new law, Assembly Bill 451, which would make the act of party crashing a misdemeanor crime that would be punishable with up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. The law would simply expand California's definition of trespassing so that unauthorized entry to exclusive events can be clarified, giving law enforcers guidelines on how to handle such a situation.
But would AB 451 dissuade party crashers or would a new law encourage party crashing by rebellion? Alex Mamlet, a party crasher on the VH1 show "Kid Protocol: Party Crashing in Cannes," believes the latter is more likely to occur.
"In Hollywood, it's pretty clear that people are willing to bite the bullet for fame," he told the Los Angeles Times. "There's no better way to get attention and press than being the first one punished when this bill goes into effect. So it might do exactly the opposite of what the writer of the bill intended. This bill might end up backfiring."
Many Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys may also worry that the passage of AB 451 would allow event organizers to kick people out that they don't like and have those people prosecuted. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the Senate later this month.
Related Resources:
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Trespassing Basics (FindLaw)
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White House Dinner Crashers: What Charges May Apply? (FindLaw's Blotter Blog)
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