Suspect Admitted Act : Charge Dropped in Felling of Arches at McDonald’s

A San Fernando Municipal Court judge has dismissed a misdemeanor charge against the Burbank man who last September cut down the 40-foot golden arches of a McDonald’s restaurant to display his anger over a business dispute with the restaurant.

Daniel Chadwick, 42, of Burbank, was charged with malicious mischief, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Judge Morton Rochman dismissed the charge after finding that Chadwick’s right to a speedy trial had been violated, the city attorney’s office said.

Anyone charged with a misdemeanor crime has a right to be tried within 45 days of arraignment unless good cause is shown for delaying the case. A spokesman for the city attorney’s office would not comment on the reasons for the delay, but said there was good cause.

The spokesman said Thursday that the city attorney may appeal Rochman’s ruling, which was issued Tuesday.

Chadwick admitted using a cutting torch to fell the yellow-and-red sign at a North Hollywood McDonald’s early in the morning last Sept. 12. He said he cut the sign down because of a longstanding argument over ownership of the site and McDonald’s right to build a sign there.

“I’m elated that Judge Rochman gave my pleadings full merit and validity,” Chadwick said Thursday. “I certainly agreed 100% with the court’s finding.”