Judge Says Paparazzi Have Right to Chase Bieber

Deems charges unconstitutional in case involving pop star
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 15, 2012 9:11 AM CST
Judge Says Paparazzi Have Right to Chase Bieber
Musician Justin Bieber performs during the Believe Tour at TD Garden in Boston on Saturday Nov. 10, 2012.   (Photo by Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Invision/AP)

Two charges were tossed yesterday against the paparazzo who allegedly chased Justin Bieber when the pop star was pulled over for crazy speeding in July—because the LA judge found California's anti-paparazzi law unconstitutional, the Los Angeles Times reports. The landmark law punishes paparazzi who drive recklessly in order to get pictures they can sell, but the judge said it's an overreach that violates First Amendment rights. Two traffic-related charges against Paul Raef will proceed.

TMZ notes that the ruling won't have any effect immediately, since it came from a trial judge, but if an appeals court sides with him "it could have a big impact on how paparazzi are prosecuted." As for Bieber, he was pulled over yet again Tuesday and cited for making an unsafe turn while driving a Ferarri. He's been engaging in some typical post-breakup behavior since splitting with Selena Gomez, including hanging out with Ashley Olsen, tweeting shirtless pictures, riding a motorcycle, and texting Gomez nonstop. (More Justin Bieber stories.)

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