Concerns over how fast actor Shia LaBeouf was released from jail after his arrest on Mardi Gras morning on allegations of battery.Was it preferential treatment? Or business as usual?After being arrested on Mardi Gras day in the Marigny, LaBeouf was able to leave jail on his own, without posting a bond.”We are not supposed ot treat famous people any differently,” said Michael Kennedy.Kennedy, a criminal defense lawyer, is a friend of one of the people LaBeouf is accused of striking on Royal Street.But within hours of the incident, LaBeouf was released on his own recognizance by criminal court Judge Simone Levine.It’s called an ROR, meaning LeBoeuf didn’t have to make an appearance or pay a bond.”It’s ridiculous, we all know the process — you get arrested and get booked, and you sit there until first appearances and a bond is set by a magistrate commissioner,” said Kennedy.But while Kennedy claims LaBeouf got preferential treatment, some disagree.”Misdemeanor offender don’t usually remain in pre-trial custody for very long,” said Rafael Goyeneche.Goyeneche runs the Metropolitan Crime Commission, which reviews what judges do on an annual basis.He says a judgment call on a case like this is not unusual.”What I believe happened, someone who knows the judge and that the judge trusts — called up the judge and vouched for him, and the judge set bail at that level,” said Goyeneche.We did reach out to the courthouse spokesperson and Levine for a comment on the case, but neither responded.LaBeouf owns a home in New Orleans and moved to the city last year.He’s due back in court in March, as police and the district attorney screen the case right now.
NEW ORLEANS —
Concerns over how fast actor Shia LaBeouf was released from jail after his arrest on Mardi Gras morning on allegations of battery.
Was it preferential treatment? Or business as usual?
After being arrested on Mardi Gras day in the Marigny, LaBeouf was able to leave jail on his own, without posting a bond.
“We are not supposed ot treat famous people any differently,” said Michael Kennedy.
Kennedy, a criminal defense lawyer, is a friend of one of the people LaBeouf is accused of striking on Royal Street.
But within hours of the incident, LaBeouf was released on his own recognizance by criminal court Judge Simone Levine.
It’s called an ROR, meaning LeBoeuf didn’t have to make an appearance or pay a bond.
“It’s ridiculous, we all know the process — you get arrested and get booked, and you sit there until first appearances and a bond is set by a magistrate commissioner,” said Kennedy.
But while Kennedy claims LaBeouf got preferential treatment, some disagree.
“Misdemeanor offender don’t usually remain in pre-trial custody for very long,” said Rafael Goyeneche.
Goyeneche runs the Metropolitan Crime Commission, which reviews what judges do on an annual basis.
He says a judgment call on a case like this is not unusual.
“What I believe happened, someone who knows the judge and that the judge trusts — called up the judge and vouched for him, and the judge set bail at that level,” said Goyeneche.
We did reach out to the courthouse spokesperson and Levine for a comment on the case, but neither responded.
LaBeouf owns a home in New Orleans and moved to the city last year.
He’s due back in court in March, as police and the district attorney screen the case right now.