Los Angeles has strict sign laws when it comes to installing supergraphics and now city officials are cracking down on the use of such unpermitted signs.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the use of supergraphics, which are vinyl or plastic signs that can be draped across one or more sides of a building, can be legally troublesome. Forty-nine year old Kayvan Setareh was arrested last week for illegally erecting a supergraphic on Hollywood Boulevard. He was accused of violating three misdemeanor city code violations; two of which related to the the city's sign law.
Mr. Setareh's bail was originally set at $1 million, but after spending three days in jail, the bail amount was lowered to $100,000 in exchange for the sign's removal. Mr. Setareh posted bail last night and the sign was removed. His Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, Andrew M. Stein, had criticized Judge Mildred Escobedo for agreeing to the original bail amount of $1 million for misdemeanor charges.
Mr. Stein and his client will appear in Los Angeles County Superior Court for arraignment on March 30. Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich argues that supergraphics pose a threat to public safety because, saying that the heavy vinyl could fall on motorists and pedestrians if it isn't installed properly. However, Mr. Stein denies that his client's sign was dangerous.
The lawyer told Los Angeles Times, "I don't think my client's sign endangered the public any more than the other signs that have been put up and down Sunset Boulevard over the last 10 years -- permitted or unpermitted."
Related Resources:
- Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest (FindLaw)
- Misdemeanors (FindLaw)
- Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory (FindLaw)
