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Busting bad dish!

Hot Topics Jennifer Lawrence Kim Kardashian Rihanna Robert Pattinson Beyonce Justin Bieber Kristen Stewart

Judge Throws Out Anti-Paparazzi Charges in Justin Bieber Highway Chase Case

Truth rating: 10

7:09 pm, November 14th, 2012

(GettyImages.com)

A judge has ruled the anti-paparazzi law connected to Justin Bieber’s freeway chase last summer is unconstitutional, throwing out two of the four charges against photographer Paul Raef and opening the door for a prolonged battle over the boundaries separating celebrities from the media covering them.

Thomas Rubinson of the Los Angeles Superior Court gave his ruling on Wednesday, determining that prosecutors could go ahead with two traffic-related counts against Raef but NOT the specific anti-paparazzi charges brought against him in July.

In Rubinson’s decision, the new prohibitions on photogs meant to keep them from driving recklessly in pursuit of their famous subjects were deemed too overreaching.

He ruled that the statute is too broad and should not be used against Raef.

In Rubinson’s estimation, while the new law was intended to protect the safety and privacy of celebrities, in practice it threatens First Amendment-protected news gathering tactics and could wind up used against private citizens rushing to cover anything from a wedding to a political rally.

The City Attorney’s Office is expected to appeal the ruling.

Raef still faces the “regular” reckless driving charges and could lead to jail time.

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  • peppermintulip

    That is the dumbest decision ever. We should just let the paps drive like crazy people putting other innocent people at risk so they can get a picture of a celebrity?

  • O

    This is exactly why those idiots are going to continue to behave let animals a get away with it. Princess Diana anyone

  • Chloe

    Are you kidding me? What is it going to take to get the Paz to back off? Someone getting killed? One of these judges need to take a stand in this.

  • Anna

    sadly someone already got killed (Princess Diana) and no one seems to care. I’m all for the freedom of the press but endangering the lives of innocent people isn’t a freedom they should have.

  • Theo

    It’s NOT OK for the paparazzi to “chase” or endanger anyone with their driving, but it’s not OK for celebrities to be doing it either!

    Everyone seems to forget that as a teenager (already accumulating four traffic warnings/tickets) Bieber seems to chalk up the wreckless driving charges all on his own. Most of the time being let off just because of who he is. But it’s OK to let him continue to endanger the lives of others and blame the paparazzi. What!? Oh and lets post pictures of the Police while getting pulled over cause that’s not being an idiot either…

  • shame

    This jackass was pulled over the other day again for making an unsafe left turn and ticketed, finally. He also had a suspended registration. He was also riding a motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic. He is a time bomb waiting to explode.

  • http://twitter.com/nirvanaman_1985 sam

    bieber was driving like an idiot too, he should be charged too.

    Diana was assassinated by MI6, there are plenty of documentaries on youtube proving this.

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