Local News in Brief : ‘L.A. Law’ Star Charged

Actor Jimmy Smits, a star of the television series “L.A. Law,” was charged Tuesday with battery and resisting arrest for allegedly attacking police officers during an August altercation at his West Los Angeles home. Smits’ girlfriend Wanda DeJesus, 29, was charged with resisting arrest, two counts of battery on a police officer and one count of giving a false name to a police officer.

DeJesus and Smits, 32, were arrested after officers were called to the actor’s South Bundy Drive home Aug. 8 in response to reports that a woman was screaming. While police were questioning DeJesus, she allegedly began attacking the officers and Smits joined in. At the time, DeJesus identified herself as Juanita Cruz, authorities said.

Smits, who was nominated for an Emmy for his role as a lawyer on the popular show, and DeJesus are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 13 in West Los Angeles Municipal Court. Smits faces up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted of battery and a maximum one-year jail term and $1,000 fine on the resisting arrest count.