Photographer's Excuse For High Speed Justin Bieber Car Chase

Photog Paul Raef's lawyer, David Kestenbaum, tells TMZ ... his client is no different than a traditional news reporter covering a breaking story, and therefore he has a constitutional right to chase it.

Raef is the first person charged under California's new "Paparazzi Law," enhancing the punishment when a photog creates a dangerous situation for profit.

Kestenbaum tells TMZ Raef will challenge the new law, presumably on grounds that it violates his First Amendment right to freedom of the press.