A “cockfight” is an event in which two roosters are put into a ring and fight one another to the death, while an audience watches and sometimes bets on the outcome. After police broke up large illegal cockfighting rings in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties, the California State Senate is considering a bill that would increase the penalties for setting up or attending cockfights, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Currently, California is one of only eleven states that has not made cockfighting a felony. Thirty-nine U.S. states and the District of Columbia implement harsh penalties for cockfighting, including heavy fines and jail time. In California, however, being convicted of being a spectator at a cockfight is a misdemeanor.
If it is passed, the state Senate bill will set a fine of $500 for watching a cockfight and a fine of $1,000 for keeping or training birds for cockfighting. The fine would increase to as much as $10,000 for additional convictions.
Proponents of the bill say that harsher penalties will discourage cockfighting, which will lead to reduced violence and curb illegal gambling, a common occurrence at cockfights. Those who are against the bill, however, state that the fine is too high and that, under California’s “three strikes” rule, many more people could go to prison for life as a result of being involved in cockfights.
The consequences of a criminal conviction extend far beyond the courtroom. If you have been charged with a felony in Orange County, please don’t hesitate to contact experienced Orange County felony defense attorney Jeremy N. Goldman. Mr. Goldman will examine your case carefully and fight to win the best possible outcome for you. To learn more or to schedule a free and confidential consultation, call The Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman today at 1-800-349-1619.
