Felony for Criminal Impersonation of Sports Official

[Lindsay]

http://rivals.yahoo....rn=ncaaf-wp8455

Jace Michael Lankow, 22, was arrested on charges of criminal impersonation and was booked into Pima County jail Thursday night after his televised streaking at Arizona Stadium. Lankow was released Friday, the jail said.[…]

The criminal impersonation charge is a Class 6 felony. According to Arizona Revised Statutes, the felony can be dropped down to a Class 1 misdemeanor based on the court's review of the defendant's character and history and if the crime was not a dangerous offense.

It's an interesting legal issue. Certainly, the intruder's actions prevented or hindered the officials from doing their jobs, indirectly resulting in a fight as LJ was distracted by the intruder during a series of taunting and fighting words being exchanged between the two teams.

Had a player been injured during the melee, this would have been very interesting, opening the door for potential litigation against the only person to be charged with a crime as a result of the incident.

[mstaylor]

As somebody that has done security at professional sporting events, anytime somebody comes on a field it is serious. Look at the two knuckleheads that attacked the coach in Chicago. They had a fan that attacked an umpire, he just made the mistake to pick an ex-marine. Then there was the game where two idiots tried to light a flag on fire in the outfield.

Everytime a fan comes on a field they create a situation that could incite others to join in.

[yawetag]

It's nearly impossible to prevent it from happening, but they'll find a way when the incident causes harm to someone. It's amazing nothing similar to Lennon or Reagan hasn't happened (that I know of) on a sports field.

[UmpJM]

Heck, I've had partners that could have been charged with this.

JM

[Umpire in Chief]

I didn't see but the article states the impersoner somehow caused the fight???

IN this case I say throw the book at him.

• As officials we are responsible for the admministration of the game and have a position of authorty in most situations on the field. Impersonating an official can only lead to meyham,
• He did it to get on Wipeout???

[sdix00]

Heck, I've had partners that could have been charged with this.

JM

http://bit.ly/du76le

[Kevin Finnerty]

Heck, I've had partners that could have been charged with this.

JM