Now Reading: James Harden’s gun charge dismissed by Texas judge
-
01
James Harden’s gun charge dismissed by Texas judge
A misdemeanor gun charge against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was dismissed by a Texas judge after he completed an alternative resolution programme, court records show. Harris County Criminal Court Judge Alex…
The Story in Brief
A misdemeanor gun charge against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was dismissed by a Texas judge after he completed an alternative resolution programme, court records show. Harris County Criminal Court Judge Alex Salgado dismissed the charge on Thursday at the request of the district attorney's office. Such programmes allow defendants to avoid a criminal conviction by performing community service.
Harden was arrested on June 13 in Houston after police found a handgun in his vehicle. Texas law makes it a misdemeanour to have a gun “in plain view” without a licence. Harden, 36, finished his 17th NBA season in May when the New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 23.6 points per game.
The Indian Opinion
Some will see this as a celebrity getting off easy, but alternative resolution programmes are standard in Texas for first-time, non-violent offenders. The real test is whether Harden's legal troubles affect his free agency. He declined a $42.3 million option and wants a longer contract. If a team signs him to a big deal, the privilege narrative will stick. If he takes a pay cut, perhaps the system worked. The facts show a routine legal process, not a fix.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
