LITTLE ROCK — A Los Angeles judge Wednesday dismissed charges against Paul Raef that were filed under a law aimed at combating reckless driving by paparazzi. Raef was charged inJuly over allegations that he was involved in a high-speed pursuit of Justin Bieber. Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson cited numerous problems with the 2010 statute, saying it was aimed at newsgathering activities protected by the First Amendment, and lawmakers should have simply increased the penalties for reckless driving rather than targeting celebrity photographers. Attorneys for Raef argued that the law was unconstitutional and wasn’t meant to protect the public. “It’s about protecting celebrities,” attorney Brad Kasierman said. “This discrimination sets a dangerous precedent.” Prosecutors argued that the law, which seeks to punish those who drive dangerously in pursuit of photos for commercial gain, could apply to people in other professions, not just the media. “The focus is not the photo. The focusis on the driving,” Assistant City Attorney Ann Rosenthal argued. Raef still faces traditional reckless-driving counts and has not entered a plea. Prosecutors said Raef chased Bieber at more than 80 mph and forced other motorists to avoid collisions while trying to get shots of the teen heartthrob on a Los Angeles freeway. The chase prompted several 911 calls from scared motorists and led to Bieber being pulled over.

Jon Bon Jovi’s 19-yearold daughter was hospitalized and was facing drug charges Wednesday after overdosing on heroin in a dormitory at her college in upstate NewYork, authorities said. Stephanie Bongiovi was found unresponsive by an ambulance crew sent to Hamilton College early Wednesday. Town of Kirkland police investigator Peter Cania said Bongiovi, of Red Bank, N.J., was recovering at a hospital that he declined to name. Police said a search of the dorm room where Bongiovi was found yielded heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Bongiovi and Ian Grant, 21, also of Red Bank and a Hamilton student, were each charged with seventhdegree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Bongiovi was also charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and criminally using drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. Jon Bon Jovi’s representative declined to comment Wednesday.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 11/15/2012