Russell Brand gets community service in New Orleans case

(CBS/AP) NEW ORLEANS - Russell Brand must perform 20 hours of community service and pay a $500 court fee to resolve a misdemeanor charge stemming from a confrontation with a photographer in New Orleans.

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Brand did not appear in Municipal Court in New Orleans on Thursday morning, but his attorney, Robert Glass, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf to a charge of criminal damage to property.

Glass said that under a deal with the district attorney's office, the case would be dismissed if the actor provides proof he has completed the service requirement by Aug. 31.

He said he is hopeful Brand may be able to fulfill the requirement through his charitable work with people suffering addictions.

Brand turned himself in to New Orleans police on March 15 after an arrest warrant was issued for him over a photographer's accusation that the British actor-comedian grabbed his iPhone and tossed it through a window. Brand was booked and released on $15,000 bond.

He joked about the incident on Twitter at the time, writing, "Since Steve Jobs died I cannot bear to see anyone use an iPhone irreverently, what I did was a tribute to his memory."