Yesterday, I worked two games with a ref who had been spit upon by a player last weekend. Apparently, there had been so many technicals called in the game, that both officials told both coaches that if there were any more, the game would be called (this is a fall varsity boys rec league). Another player swore at one of the officials, so they called the game.
As one of the officials was leaving the court to report the incident to the front desk personnel, a player came up from behind and spit on the officials neck.
This player is a senior and one of the top prospects in our state (Oregon). He is the son of a former NBA All-Star.
He has been suspended for the balance of the rec league and the official is considering filing assault charges under Oregon's new sports official protection act. If charges are filed and the offender is convicted, there is an automatic hefty fine under this law. The law does not preclude a D.A. from filing a normal assault charge instead (which could include jail time for a more serious offense) and does not preclude the official from filing separately in civil court.
The official has not yet decided whether or not to file. What do you think?
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