Sean Penn charged over attack on photographer

'Milk' star Sean Penn has been charged with vandalism after he was accused of kicking a photographer.

According to Los Angeles city attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan, Penn, 49, will be arraigned on March 22 on the two misdemeanour charges, and if convicted, he could face up to 18 months in jail, reports the Telegraph.

Mateljan accused Penn of kicking a photographer in the leg at a shopping centre in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles last October, and also of damaging the photog's camera.

The incident was captured on a video posted by celebrity Web site TMZ.com in which Penn is seen kicking at a photographer and repeatedly telling the photographer to "get out".

Penn's attorney, Barry Hirsch, made no immediate comment, and the actor is not required to appear in court if an attorney represents him.