by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
A Jet Blue pilot recently suffered an eye injury from a green laser pointed directly into the cockpit, as the plane was approaching JFK airport. Although these lights seem to be somewhat harmless from the ground, as the light reaches higher into the sky the pinpoint of light spreads out in a dangerous and blinding fashion.
A Jet Blue pilot recently suffered an eye injury from a green laser pointed directly into the cockpit, as the plane was approaching JFK airport. Although these lights seem to be somewhat harmless from the ground, as the light reaches higher into the sky the pinpoint of light spreads out in a dangerous and blinding fashion.
It is a federal crime to shine a green laser or laser pointer at an airplane and interfere with the flight crew. The United States Code Title 18, Chapter 2, Section 39A, provides that such an offense is punishable by fine or imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. State regulations also apply and vary between states. The NYC Administrative Code Section 10-134.2, regulates the possession, sale, display and use of laser pointers. Most violators of this code are deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
In 2005 there were less than 300 reported laser pointer incidents of this type. By 2011 there were more than 3,500 reported such incidents. In 2009 a California man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for his laser pointer offense and in 2011 a Massachusetts man was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Authorities consider these offenses to be very serious in nature and the public should treat them accordingly.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
In 2005 there were less than 300 reported laser pointer incidents of this type. By 2011 there were more than 3,500 reported such incidents. In 2009 a California man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for his laser pointer offense and in 2011 a Massachusetts man was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Authorities consider these offenses to be very serious in nature and the public should treat them accordingly.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
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