Tone Loc Arrested for Domestic Violence
Born Anthony Smith, rapper Tone Loc, arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Burbank, California over the weekend, is reportedly out on bail, having posted a bond of $50,000 three hours after being hauled into jail.
Known mostly for his rise to fame in the 1980's with hits like "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina," there is little information about exactly what occurred prior to Tone Loc's arrest.
Police have only indicated that there was a "physical altercation" with the mother of his child.
If true, this situation does not bode well for Tone Loc, because, via the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, California has some of the harshest domestic violence laws in the country.
Felony domestic violence in California occurs when a person physically strikes their spouse, former spouse, a cohabitant, former cohabitant, a person with which they have or had a dating relationship, a blood relative, or the parent of his or her child.
No ongoing relationship is necessary, and penalties range from 2 to 4 years in jail and a $6,000 fine.
Additionally, restraining order violations automatically end in arrest.
California domestic violence law also impacts child custody by requiring judges to make the presumption that granting custody to a batterer is not in the best interest of the child.
This means that, if the headlines proclaiming "Tone Loc Arrested for Domestic Violence" turn out to be true, the rapper has not only risked jail and a limiting restraining order, but also his relationship with his child.
Related Resources:
- Police Arrest Rapper Tone Loc For Felony Domestic Violence (Los Angeles Criminal Law Blog)
- Domestic Violence (FindLaw)
- Tone-Loc Arrested for DUI, Claims It Was a Seizure (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)