Jonas Lara Legal Defense Fund

This does not have much to do with Danish graffiti, but there are probably many people who will find it interesting to know about this case. A LA based photographer, Jonas Lara got arrested while photographing Graffiti writers breaking the law.

I’m an artist and photographer who was arrested while working on a long term project. This body of work involves documenting artists both in their lives and in the process of their artwork.

On February 4th 2010, I was photographing 2 graffiti artists painting a mural in Los Angeles. I was arrested and initially charged with Felony Vandalism. My cameras, my tools with which I earn a living were taken as evidence. My charges were later lowered to a Misdemeanor and the changed to “Aiding and Abetting” which carries the same sentence as the crime of Vandalism/Graffiti. I have gone through the several stages of this case and my next step is the Jury Trial. If I lose my case I can face up to a Year in Jail and have my license suspended.

I need your help raising money to cover costs to hire a private attorney and related legal expenses. Anything helps !

I served in the Marine Corps (Service Connected Disabled Veteran) Graduated from Art Center College of Design / BFA in Photography Recently accepted into The School of Visual Art / MFA Program. Part of the artist portrait series was featured in an Exhibition put together by the Cultural Affairs Department of Los Angeles.

When you do graffiti you know it is a crime. It being a crime to watch graffiti in progress is a whole different thing though. The case is pretty far away, but I guess joining the facebook group or spreading the word is doing something.

From facebook via photoattorney.com
jonaslara.com – blog

Related Posts

1. (not that) Big case closed
2. Biggest case underway in Sweden
3. “Legal graffiti Århus” showing
4. Dangling shoes also part of broken windows theory