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In defense of a street vendor

Bertha Arce, left, and her friend Rosa Calderon wave at the police officer who repeatedly gives Calderon tickets.

Bertha Arce, left, and her friend Rosa Calderon wave at the police officer who repeatedly gives Calderon tickets.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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When street vendor Rosa Calderon walked into a courtroom at the Metropolitan Courthouse about her seven tickets for violating the ban on selling goods on city sidewalks, she asked God to help her. But she brought a legal team for backup – including a civil rights attorney, a crew of earnest law students and their professor, all clad in conservative suits, ready to pitch every legal argument they could at this seemingly routine case.

Call-out

People on the street call out and point at the officer who repeatedly tickets Calderon.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Welcome defense

Calderon hugs her attorney Cynthia Anderson-Barker after being ticketed again, after her court appearance.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Leaving court

Calderon looks back at the judge as law professor Ingrid Eagly and students Kevin Whitfield and Greg Bonett leave the courtroom.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Before the hearing

Calderon watches her team before the hearing.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Holiday sales

Calderon and a friend sell decorations on Alvarado Street at Christmastime.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Christmas spirit

Calderon displays her wares.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Legal defense

Attorney Cynthia Anderson-Barker looks over tickets given to Calderon.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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