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Paris Hilton Going to Jail for 45 Days (Orange jumpsuits will be the fashion rage this summer.)
apnews.myway.com ^ | SANDY COHEN

Posted on 05/05/2007 5:38:21 AM PDT by kellynla

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in county jail Friday for violating her probation, putting the brakes on the hotel heiress' famous high life.

Hilton, who parlayed her name and relentless partying into worldwide notoriety, must go to jail by June 5 and she will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of jail, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled after a hearing.

The judge, saying "there's no doubt she knew her license had been suspended," ruled that she was in violation of the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"I'm very sorry and from now on I'm going to pay complete attention to everything. I'm sorry and I did not do it on purpose at all," she told the judge before he announced the sentence.

She was then ordered to report to a women's jail in suburban Lynwood by the set date or face 90 days behind bars. The judge's ruling excluded her from paying to serve time in a jail of her choice, as some are allowed.

Hilton was among a series of witnesses who took the stand during the hearing. She testified she believed her license was initially suspended for 30 days and that she was allowed to drive for work purposes during the next 90 days.

She said that when an officer who stopped her in January made her sign a document stating her license was suspended, she thought he was mistaken and did not actually look at the document.

Also called to the stand was Hilton's spokesman, Elliot Mintz. Hilton and her attorneys characterized Mintz as a liaison between Hilton and her lawyers.

Mintz testified that to his knowledge Hilton did not drive during the 30-day period. He said he then advised her that he believed her license was no longer suspended.

The judge called Mintz's testimony worthless and expressed disbelief at Hilton's lawyers.

"I can't believe that either attorney did not tell her that the suspension had been upheld," the judge said. "She wanted to disregard everything that was said and continue to drive no matter what."

Hilton's parents, Kathy and Rick, attended the hearing, holding hands throughout the proceedings. Both wore black suits. Kathy Hilton's beige, $3,000-plus Hermes bag sat on the floor by her side.

Reporters filled most of the 64-seat courtroom. Two sketch artists sat in the otherwise empty jury box.

When the judge announced Hilton's sentence, the reporters in attendance jumped up to leave until a bailiff snapped, "Sit down." Cell phones and other electronic devices were not allowed in the courtroom.

As a city prosecutor said during closing arguments that Hilton deserved jail time, Hilton's mother, Kathy, laughed. When the judge ruled, Kathy Hilton then blurted out: "May I have your autograph?"

Paris Hilton looked forward and didn't speak to news media as she left court. Her mother looked upset.

When a reporter asked what she thought of the judge's decision, a visibly angry Kathy Hilton responded: "What do you think? This is pathetic and disgusting, a waste of taxpayer money with all this nonsense. This is a joke."

Defense attorney Howard Weitzman said he would appeal.

"I'm shocked, I'm surprised and really disheartened in the system that I've worked in for close to 40 years," Weitzman said.

He said the sentence was "uncalled for, inappropriate and bordered on the ludicrous."

"I think she's singled out because of who she is," Weitzman said.

City attorney spokesman Nick Velasquez said late Friday that the judge's ruling "sends a clear message that in the city of Los Angeles, no one is above the law."

"She violated the law and appropriate action was taken," he said.

Hilton had arrived at the Metropolitan Courthouse 10 minutes late and ignored screams of photographers as she swept in with her attorneys, mother and father. Wearing a gray jacket and white shirt over black slacks and with a black headband on, she said nothing and appeared serious.

The celebrity case brought an unusual scene to the austere courthouse south of downtown in a commercial area. As if at a red carpet event, dozens of photographers and reporters lined up at the rear entrance. Yellow police tape substituted for velvet ropes.

Hilton, 26, pleaded no contest in January to reckless driving stemming from a Sept. 7 arrest in Hollywood. Police said she appeared intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test. She had a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent, the level at which an adult driver is in violation of the law.

She was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines.

Two other traffic stops and failure to enroll in a mandated alcohol education program, are what landed the socialite back in court.

On Jan. 15, Hilton was pulled over by California Highway Patrol. Officers informed her that she was driving on a suspended license and she signed a document acknowledging that she was not to drive, according to papers filed in Superior Court.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies stopped Hilton on Feb. 27 and charged her with violating her probation. Police said she was pulled over at about 11 p.m. after authorities saw the car speeding with its headlights off.

Mintz said at the time Hilton wasn't aware her license was suspended. A copy of the document Hilton signed on Jan. 15 was found in the car's glove compartment, court papers say.

Hilton was also required to enroll in an alcohol education program by Feb. 12. As of April 17, she had not enrolled, prosecutors said.

Hilton, heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune, first gained notoriety for her hard partying as a teen. She attracted worldwide attention when a sex tape she made with a boyfriend was released on the Internet.

She stars in the reality-TV series, "The Simple Life," now in its fifth season, with Nicole Richie. She appeared in the 2005 film, "House of Wax" and recently finished filming "The Hottie and the Nottie." She also is a handbag designer and has a namesake perfume.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: chatroom; parishilton; uselessnews
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To: kellynla

I bet she goes to one of those “private” jails, away from the general population.


21 posted on 05/05/2007 5:57:46 AM PDT by Enterprise (I can't talk about liberals anymore because some of the words will get me sent to rehab.)
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To: kellynla

Why in God’s name does ANYONE with a brain shive a git about this pathetic little spoiled brat’s life while kids are being injured and killed fighting ostensibly to keep her in her pampered and notorious lifestyle?

This country’s idiotic fixation on know-nothing, do-nothing of any real significance CELEBRITIES is nuts.

Ask most of these celebrity worshippers the name of their congressional representative and you’ll likely get a blank stare.

It makes the “more bread and circuses” run-up to the destruction of Rome look like the Enlightenment.

Clearly, we’re doomed — and ought to be.


22 posted on 05/05/2007 5:57:56 AM PDT by Dick Bachert
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To: kellynla

Some people are just too beautiful to go to prison. Paris apparently doesn't qualify though, lol.

23 posted on 05/05/2007 5:58:35 AM PDT by Normal4me
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To: kellynla

24 posted on 05/05/2007 5:59:10 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: GoldenPup
Most middle class folks will see the inside of a municipal court in America. The traffic system is for collecting revenue and traffic cops are glorified meter maids with guns.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

25 posted on 05/05/2007 5:59:43 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: ItisaReligionofPeace

“News Flash: No one cares!!!

Ordinarily, I would say that’s true, but in this case, actually seeing someone like Paris Hilton getting treated like the rest of us . . . yes, indeedy, I do care.

Yahoooooooooooooooo!


26 posted on 05/05/2007 6:01:53 AM PDT by chickadee
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To: goldstategop

“The traffic system is for collecting revenue and traffic cops are glorified meter maids with guns. “

Yes, but the meter maid doesn’t Tazer you into a heart attack for asking “what did I do officer?”.


27 posted on 05/05/2007 6:03:28 AM PDT by dljordan
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To: goldstategop

45 days for her will turn into a money making proposition.

she is only famous for being a celebrity. She is a PR whore and this will just be morphed into a PR stunt.

She is not getting special treatment for a 45 days for driving during a suspension during probation.

Now the question is whether the “profits from crime” laws will apply. (not allowed to sell story of criminal exploits for profit. aka son of sam law)


28 posted on 05/05/2007 6:04:55 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: kellynla

I’m amazed she got jail time at all, given that celebrities in LA (literally) get away with murder.


29 posted on 05/05/2007 6:05:52 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Steely-Eyed Killer of the Deep)
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To: kellynla
When the judge ruled, Kathy Hilton then blurted out: "May I have your autograph?"

He should have handed her a signed Contempt of Court summons.

30 posted on 05/05/2007 6:05:59 AM PDT by RobFromGa (This tagline intentionally left blank.)
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To: ItisaReligionofPeace

Just a little light humor for a Saturday a.m.

if you “don’t care”,then move on...
gezzzzzzzzzzzz...


31 posted on 05/05/2007 6:07:17 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: goldstategop
The traffic system is for collecting revenue and traffic cops are glorified meter maids with guns.
And the dirty little secret is that radar detector companies actually donate radar guns to law enforcement...charitable donations that feed the system for more customers for their products.

 

32 posted on 05/05/2007 6:07:19 AM PDT by peyton randolph (What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal - Albert Pike)
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To: Izzy Dunne

Come on, now. We already knew she was an airhead. We’re just haggling over how complete the brain death is at this point.


33 posted on 05/05/2007 6:07:29 AM PDT by RichInOC (Rich's Undeniable Truth of the Day: We need to have IQ tests for drivers' license applicants.)
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To: kellynla

“Her mother looked upset”

After all the crap and stunts this spoiled brat has pulled, THIS is what gets her mother upset? WTF?


34 posted on 05/05/2007 6:09:28 AM PDT by SAMS ("I may look harmless, but I raised a U.S. MARINE!" Army Wife & Marine Mom)
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To: al baby
suburban Lynwood lmao subhuman area maybe

LMAO too! That's like saying Compton or Harbor City are "cosmopolitan". FWIW, I'd never go out there after dark. Car broke down on the 105 or 710? Bust out the cell phone, call AAA, and DO NOT MOVE. PERIOD.
35 posted on 05/05/2007 6:09:31 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Steely-Eyed Killer of the Deep)
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To: Enterprise
I bet she goes to one of those “private” jails, away from the general population.

The judge specifically addressed that issue; "No special treatment." Do not collect 200 dollars, you go "straight to jail."
36 posted on 05/05/2007 6:10:40 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: dljordan

Highway Patrol officers are REALLY SENSITIVE about the fact they are glorified ticket givers.

They have feelings too!

Look at the police union boss who through a hissy fit in NJ over revelation they were ordered to generate more revenue with tickets. The poor babies feelings were hurt.


37 posted on 05/05/2007 6:11:11 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: OCCASparky
"given that celebrities in LA (literally) get away with murder."

Ouch! How true.

38 posted on 05/05/2007 6:11:50 AM PDT by Dacus943
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To: kellynla
Mintz said at the time Hilton wasn't aware her license was suspended.

What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some (wo)men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way (s)he wants it. Well, (s)he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men.

39 posted on 05/05/2007 6:14:45 AM PDT by csvset
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To: kellynla

OK - thanks!


40 posted on 05/05/2007 6:15:56 AM PDT by Enterprise (I can't talk about liberals anymore because some of the words will get me sent to rehab.)
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