Paris Hilton leaves the Los Angeles Municipal Court Metropolitan branch Friday with her father, Rick, right. A judge sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail Friday for violating her probation. The judge ruled that she was in violation of the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.
In this drawing by court artist Bill Robles, Paris Hilton is seen crying Friday at the the Los Angeles Municipal Court Metropolitan branch.
Los Angeles — Paris Hilton wailed after a judge sentenced her to 45 days in jail - with no weekend passes or special privileges - for driving with a suspended license a month after a police officer warned her not to.
The 26-year-old hotel heiress was stunned and shaken when Judge Michael Sauer laid down the law and told her to report to jail by June 5.
"I don't know what happened. ... I did what they said," she complained in a quivering voice after making the sign of the cross and putting her folded hands to her mouth.
Then "The Simple Life" star broke down, sobbing loudly as her socialite mom Kathy Hilton hugged and comforted her in Metropolitan Court.
The leggy blonde, who wore a prim pinstripe navy jacket and white blouse, showed up 20 minutes late for the 1:30 p.m. hearing, powdering her nose on the way in. On the way out, she donned dark sunglasses to hide her tear-streaked eyes and runny makeup.
During the 2 1/2-hour hearing, Hilton blamed misinformation from her "advisers" for her two forays behind the wheel while her license was suspended for an alcohol-related reckless driving conviction. That stemmed from a margarita-fueled drunken-driving arrest in September.
"I wasn't allowed to drive for 30 days ... and I follow the laws," she said, summing up her incorrect understanding of the situation.
When a prosecutor asked if she read the license suspension notice that was mailed to her from the DMV, she replied, "I have people do that for me."
The hotel heiress said she didn't read her plea agreement either. "I just sign what people tell me to sign," she said.
She looked genuinely confused when the prosecutor told her she "waived her rights" when she pleaded no contest to the booze-related driving charge in January.
Her publicist, Elliot Mintz, tried to take the fall, testifying that he told Hilton it was OK to drive after 30 days for "work-related" purposes. He claimed he was misinformed.
The prosecutor made his case. "We are asking that she be held to the same standard as everyone else who goes through this system," Assistant City Attorney Dan Jeffries argued.
Sauer did not buy Hilton's shaky claims that her advisers told her she was allowed to drive, especially after she got a written warning, which she signed, from a California Highway Patrol officer Jan. 15.
The next month, on Feb. 27, she was stopped and cited when she drove her Bentley again - this time with the headlights off, even though it was 11 p.m.
"This is a case of what the defendant knew and when did she know it. ... What did the defendant know about her license?" Sauer asked before he brought the hammer down.
Noting the form she signed when she was pulled over in January, he said: "That exhibit is the smoking gun in this case. She carried this in her car for two months. ... In my opinion there is no doubt she knew her license was suspended."
The judge blasted her publicist. "Mintz threw himself on his sword. ... His testimony was worthless," the judge fumed. "I'm not sure she was mistakenly advised. She wanted to disregard everything that was said and continue to drive."
When Hilton saw the writing on the wall and sensed the judge's mood, she tried pleading with him. "I just want to say I'm sorry, and I didn't do it purposely at all," she said.
It didn't work. The judge had one last crack. "She's driving around with that in her car. I think she completely ignored that piece of paper. ... The defendant is to serve 45 days in jail."
If she doesn't report to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, N.Y., by June 5, the judge ordered her sentence doubled to 90 days.
Prosecutors wanted to impound her car as punishment, but the judge refused.
"I think she probably has about five other cars," the jurist said. Hilton's mother glared at him, and he apologized for the "facetious" comment.
Comments
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Crossfire (anonymous) says…
She does not read what she signs.
She does what her advisers tell her to do.
She is not responsible.
The republicans have their next President.
war_eagle (anonymous) says…
She had no excuse. She already has people to read her mail. She can certainly afford to have a personal chaffeur to drive her anywhere she wants to go. Besides, I find it hard to believe it was work related driving at 11pm.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
Maybe she has people to do the 45 days for her too!
speakingup0816 (anonymous) says…
Drunk Drivers are potential killers ... every time they get behind the wheel of a car they put themselves and everyone else on the highways in danger. Thank Heaves this judge has a brain and believes that the "law" should apply to everyone. People of priviledge seem to think that they can do as they please no matter what they are told. I think 45 days in jail is a very light sentence and she should be doing 4 to 5 months instead.
scoundrelsgallery (anonymous) says…
Why is it that all of the Rappers get off with community service, "fines", a slap on the hand, etc for packing guns and doing drugs but this ditz gets to go to jail? We need uniform sentencing so that celebrities all get the pleasure of feeling the consequences of their behavior.
If in fact "her people" let her down by not informing her of what was going on then I hope she has the good sense to fire them.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
I'm guessing this is the first appropriate consequence for her behavior Paris has ever experienced.
Judging from her mother's comments in the courtroom, I'd say mom needs a taste of accountability and respect for the law and the safety of others, too.
Why do rich people always think they are above the law?
That's one spoiled brat held accountable. Now if only our president could be the next.
armyguy (anonymous) says…
Thats Hot!!!!
paladin (anonymous) says…
No mention of counsel. If she had an attorney, he must have been asleep. If she didn't, she should get one, and she can probably get off, even now. Otherwise, "Hey, girl, welcome home Sweetmeat! You be awright, honey."
aquakej (anonymous) says…
yessssssssssssss!!!!!
Diven2blu (anonymous) says…
All of us has known someone who had an infraction with the law at least once. WIth that being so it is when that person has a choice to make a difference, learning from what has transpired and make a change to improve from it. But Paris and her clan seem to think they do not apply to the laws which govern our society but believe they should benifit from the protection our laws provide, finally a judge has turned on the light to awaken this perverse way of thinking from those individuals who believe they can allude the justice of our ameican laws.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Crossfire (Anonymous) says:
She does not read what she signs.
She does what her advisers tell her to do.
She is not responsible.
The republicans have their next President."
Best post of 2007!!!
denak (anonymous) says…
Rappers do not always get off with community service. Little Kim just spend about a year in jail for obstruction and Busta Rhymes is about to go back for yet another violation.
Personally, I think Paris got what she deserved. Her only defense was "ignorance" I didnt' know this, I didn't know that......blah blah blah. Sorry, that isn't good enough. Had she done ONE thing the judge requested earlier (ie enrolling in alchohol classes) I might feel a little more charitiable towards her but she, and her mother, both show an arrogance and lack of respect for the law that shouldn't be tolerated no matter who you are.
Dena
jonas (anonymous) says…
Not to come out in any way supporting Paris Hilton, but did this article read rather mean-spirited and vindictive to anyone else? I suppose you're allowed to hate her, although I can't see why you would, but it seems pretty unproffessional to let it leak through like it did.
Eride (anonymous) says…
How dare someone be jailed for repeatedly breaking the law!
jiggygato (anonymous) says…
the L.A. police beat people up int he park during a march but not one of those bullies will spend a day in jail. I've watched a lot of the video and it's sick how these armed thugs beat people and shot them with painful pellets. Nobody will go to jail over any of this.
Some harmless girl gets a jail sentence for something very very minor and because she has money and looks, everyone wants to hang her.
Tsk tsk so sick.
And yes rappers do get off. Did Snoop Doggy spend 45 days in jail for gcaught with weapons??
He also was caught with drugs and he's a convicted felon and he's been tried for murder.
Did he go to jail? naw.
Didn't P.doody fire guns and shoot people up in NYC one night?
Didn't P.Doody attack someone in a bar one night in Hollywood?
Did he go to jail?
naw.
Her parents have a right to be pissed off.
Tell me one good reason why some good looking blonde with money should have to go to jail while all these rappers and murders and rapist and nazi cops get off scott free.
L.A. is a city with a curse.
What an evil place.
truthseeker100 (anonymous) says…
To crossfire- It looks like Hillary is all set up to be the Democratic nominee also, except she doesn't quit come up to Paris Hilton's speed...She can't even find her papers.
truthseeker100 (anonymous) says…
To confrontation--
Anonymous user
truthseeker100 (Anonymous) says:
To crossfire- It looks like Hillary is all set up to be the Democratic nominee also, except she doesn't quit come up to Paris Hilton's speed:She can't even find her papers.
Best post of 2007!!!
ksmoderate (anonymous) says…
Finally.....a story of Justice!
I actually appreciated the tone of the article....based on Paris's behavior during the process, she deserves all the bad press, and the sentence she received.
Although I was sad to see on the news that she will be kept from the rest of the prison population during her "stay." Something about her safety, or something. She doesn't deserve the preferential treatment, as it only enables her attitude of "special priveledges....because I'm rich and famous"