LOS ANGELES : Lawyers for Powell, Koon Urge Leniency

Lawyers for two Los Angeles police officers convicted of violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights have completed their recommendations on sentencing, taking sharp issue with the prosecution’s position that both men should serve long prison terms.

Although lawyers for Sgt. Stacey C. Koon and Officer Laurence M. Powell are filing their documents under seal, they said their positions are far different from those advanced by prosecutors. Government lawyers have recommended at least seven years for Powell and nine for Koon, as well as fines and restitution to King. Sentencing is set for next Wednesday.

Michael P. Stone, one of the lawyers for Powell, has long said he does not believe his client should go to jail for more than a year or two. He said Wednesday that he will file his brief this morning and that his formal recommendation is for 10 to 18 months.

Ira Salzman, Koon’s lawyer, declined to say exactly what his motion entails, but he indicated, as he has before, that he will seek probation. “I am not conceding that Stacey Koon deserves to go to prison,” Salzman said.