Sup.Ct.App.Div.;
BR 053105

The Appellate Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court reversed a judgment of conviction. The court held that a statute making it a crime to solicit merchandise for sale on freeway off-ramps does not prohibit panhandling.

Vincent Pina was arrested for panhandling on a freeway off-ramp. The trial court found Pina guilty of violating Veh. Code §22520.5(a), which makes it a crime to “solicit, display, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise vend or attempt to vend any merchandise or service” in designated locations on and near freeway on-ramps and off-ramps.