RSSIn Los Angeles, residents have become almost accustomed to hearing about former athletes or celebrities accused of various crimes, from shoplifting to homicide. The most recent famous figure to be accused of a crime is former NFL safety Darren Sharper, who is facing allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting two women he met in Los Angeles.
Sharper recently made an appearance in an L.A. courtroom, but his hearings regarding the alleged rapes were pushed back to August. Reportedly, Sharper is accused of assaulting the two women after he met them at a local nightclub.
These aren’t the first allegations of this type Sharper has encountered, however. Sharper is also accused of drugging three females and assaulting them in Tempe, Arizona; he could be extradited to that state in the future. The purported crimes took place last November. Authorities in the states of Florida, Nevada and Louisiana have also looked at Sharper in relation to alleged crimes, although Sharper has denied involvement. This past May, officials acknowledged insufficient evidence in relation to crimes in these other states.
Finally, Sharper has pleaded not guilty to his California sex crime charges. His attorneys have also denied the veracity of the accusations stemming from other states. Initially, Sharper was held on a $1 million bail, but a judge since decided that the former safety should be held without bail.
Some professional athletes are no stranger to accusations of assault; the lifestyle that accompanies instant fame and fortune can lead to a host of problems for the athlete and the people in his or her circle. Some athletes may make dangerously bad choices, while others may be attractive targets for false accusations due to their wealth and publicity.
In any case, it’s important to separate the facts of the case from the spectacle of the case itself. No matter one’s wealth or celebrity status, defendants in sexual assault cases often face the same things: extreme derision from the community, damaged reputation and the zeal of local prosecutors.
Contact Los Angeles sexual assault defense lawyer Jonathan I. Kelman today at 310.286.1218 for additional information about California sex crime defenses.