Now, really... Would they do that to the average Jane in these circumstances?
Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer was calm but apparently irked by the morning's developments. He said he had left the courthouse Thursday night having signed an order for Hilton to appear for the hearing.
When he got in his car early Friday, he said, he heard a radio report that he had approved Hilton's participation in the hearing by telephone, but he had not.
"I at no time condoned the actions of the sheriff and at no time told him I approved the actions," he said of the decision to release Hilton from jail after three days.
"At no time did I approve the defendant being released from custody to her home on Kings Road," Sauer said.
To me, it seems like the judge is just a little obsessed with this case. Does he always take such an interest in parole violators? Does he always make decisions based on what he hears on the radio? Does he always issue sua sponte orders for released prisoners to appear before him?
I agree with you. Sadly, too many folks can’t see this clearly and evaluate it fairly.
Paris Hilton Stopped While Driving with Suspended License
The incident comes five weeks after Hilton was sentenced to three years' probation for pleading no contest to the alcohol-related reckless driving charge after her September arrest.
Now, really... Would they do that to the average Jane in these circumstances?
I don't know much about law enforcement, but I can speak about my jury duty in Southern California. When a witness didn't show up, they brought the witness in handcuffed. I suspect if the judge officially demands your presence and you ignore it, that's what happens.
Judges do not like a lack of decorum in the courtroom, and Paris was apparently a spoiled brat having a tantrum.
>> “Hilton, who was brought to court in handcuffs in a sheriff’s car...”
>
> Now, really... Would they do that to the average Jane in these circumstances?
I suspect so, in the blink of an eye.
Use of restraints is usually a safety issue. If the Sheriff felt that he, or his prisoner, or some member of the general public, could be in danger by having the prisoner unrestrained, the cuffs go on just like that.
For a LE officer, there really is no downside to using handcuffs on a prisoner. It’s just plain safer.
The felon Paris Hilton was clearly not well-composed, not in control of herself, and throwing a hissy-fit. She probably did not surrender quietly. She’s shown a pattern of behavior that shows no respect for the Law or for other people. Her behavior while in transport would be unpredictable.
The Sheriff would be remiss in not taking the precaution of restraining her and would receive heavy criticism if, for example, she were able to put up a violent resistance and someone got hurt.
The average Jane, doing the same thing, would get exactly the same treatment.
> To me, it seems like the judge is just a little obsessed with this case. Does he always take such an interest in parole violators? Does he always make decisions based on what he hears on the radio? Does he always issue sua sponte orders for released prisoners to appear before him?
The judge *has* been made to look foolish in front of the entire world by having this celebrity throw a hissy-fit and get out of Gaol free (you don’t imagine for a minute she’d respect her house arrest, anymore than she respected her other sentences ay).
Judges looking foolish is a Bad Thing, and that’s probably a good reason for this Judge to get “obsessed” over this particular parole violator.
I say good on him.