Shia LaBeouf posts bond related to Mardi Gras arrest

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Actor Shia LaBeouf appeared in a New Orleans court Thursday morning on charges related to a bar fight that occurred in the early morning hours of Fat Tuesday.

LeBeouf posted a $100,000 bond.

LeBeouf made the sign of the cross while walking up to the court, appearing before Judge Simone Levine. Sarah Chervinsky was his defense attorney.

“I have seen quite a lot of evidence,” Judge Levine said before requiring him to take a drug and alcohol test.

After his drug and alcohol screening, LeBeouf said, “No, I won’t say a word. God bless you. Now, leave me alone.”

According to the judge, the test did not show drugs, but it did show alcohol in LaBeouf’s system. LaBeouf’s attorney argued there is no active ethanol in her client’s system.

LaBeouf was arrested and booked on two counts of simple battery. Court records show he bailed himself out of jail the same day he was arrested — on Mardi Gras — and was later spotted on Bourbon Street with Mardi Gras revelers hours after his release.

Victim asks for hate crime upgrade

A man identified only as Jeffrey said LaBeouf hit him and used homophobic slurs during confrontations at a Royal Street bar on Mardi Gras. Jeffrey is asking prosecutors to upgrade LaBeouf’s charges to include a hate crime.

Those allegations were not included in the initial charging paperwork. The New Orleans Police Department said the matter was still under investigation.

Those allegations were not included in the initial charging paperwork. The New Orleans Police Department said the matter was still under investigation.

“I mean, it’s a hate crime, right? You’re beating people up because somewhere in your mind their sexuality goes against what you think should get to live,” Jeffrey said.

Prosecutor’s decision

Fox 8 Legal Analyst Joe Raspanti said the decision on whether to add a hate crime charge rests with prosecutors.

“Ultimately it’s up to the district attorney to determine if it in fact crosses the certain lines you have to cross to make it a hate crime. If it does, it’s a lot bigger offense with a lot bigger penalties,” Raspanti said.

Kyle DeVries, board president of the New Orleans Pride Center, and J. Christopher Johnson, executive director of Mobilizing Millennials, watched Thursday’s hearing. Judge Levine said the LGBTQ+ community has “gone through so much.”

“It is so important for our community to feel safe and that he won’t go on another drunken rage. I also think it’s really important for Shia to make more than just apologies. He needs to make true amends for his actions,” DeVries said.

“The judge made it evident that hate has no place in the City of New Orleans. Even though Mr. LaBeouf is someone of high status, the court has made it clear that you must treat people with dignity and respect,” Johnson said.

Jeffrey also criticized LaBeouf’s quick release from jail. Raspanti said judges sometimes step in to set bond when asked.

The judge said she considered the seriousness of the offense, the weight of evidence against LaBeouf and whether he is a danger to himself or the community. The defense argued that bond should not increase because LaBeouf has not faced any other alleged criminal allegations, has stayed away from the alleged victims and has shown up for court. Judge Levine said, “The court remains incredibly concerned based on past behaviors and that this defendant does not take his alcohol use seriously.”

“Is he a flight risk and is he a danger to others and himself. She took those into consideration and for whatever reason, she felt like it had to go up,” Raspanti said.

As part of LaBeouf’s bond conditions, he must enroll in a rehab program and submit to weekly drug and alcohol screenings. The state also requested LaBeouf stay away from the alleged victims and the bar in this case.

“The defense attorney is doing their job. The judge has every right to demand that when you’re out on bond, you’re going to follow the rules. It’s a privilege. We could let you sit in jail if you really want it that way. So, if he wants to be out, he’s going to have to follow her rules,” Raspanti said.

LaBeouf’s court hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, March 19.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.

Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.