When Russell Crowe lobbed a telephone into a hotel clerk’s face a few months ago, his mind was possibly more focused on following it up with some nice karate moves. In reality, he should have been worried about being kicked out of America.

If he’s convicted for assault, he’ll lose the right to work in America, and will also face up to seven years in jail. No wonder he wants his lawyers to get his charges reduced.

Russell Crowe (DVDs) was interviewed recently for Australia’s The Bulletin
magazine, where he revealed that he wants his felony charge reduced to
a misdemeanour. If he’s found guilty of a misdemeanour, he’ll escape
jail, but he told The Bulletin that he will still face immigration
issues:

"Every time I apply for a visa, it’s like you need a suitcase (full of papers) into the
embassy. So
to add this charge, even as a misdemeanour level … basically stops me
getting certain types of visa."

After
he was taken in by police following the attack, Crowe went on a long
round of public apologies. "This is possibly the most shameful situation I’ve ever got myself in",
he said. And he went on a damage-limiting course of settling with
Nestor Estrada – the victim of the attack – out of court. But he still
faced a criminal charge of second-degree assault. And that’s what
Russell’s worried about.

But, whatever the outcome of the trial, Crowe is willing to accept his fate. Speaking from Sydney, he said:

"If I’m an international menace like the (prosecuting) attorney is
suggesting, then fine, I’ll just
stay here."

According to the interview, the trial has been deferred until November.

Read more:

Russell Crowe Seeks Reduction in Charge – Newsday

Russell Crowe Settles In Phone-Flinging Fiasco – hecklerspray

[story by Stuart Heritage]