Paris free?? already??

Make an example of Paris, for the love of all that's holy! (Good grief; it's not like she's missing work for this. When will she ever have to mention it on an employment application?)

I hope I don't start another thread war with my rant...

Well said NoHall. I heard on the news a few minutes ago . . . "What will this do for Paris's career? Mr. dbuck said, "What career?"

I'm not sure about the charge, but I thought she was DUI on a suspended license, after getting a DUI only a month or so prior to that.

"Hilton's twisted jailhouse saga began Sept. 7, when she failed a sobriety test after police saw her weaving down a street in her Mercedes-Benz on what she said was a late-night hamburger run.

"She pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines. In the months that followed she was stopped twice while driving on a suspended license. The second stop landed her back in the courtroom." -- Assoc. Press

I don't generally follow the whole celebrity thing either. (Not on purpose, anyway. When I go to get my allergy shots, though, the only magazines there are either entertainment-type or AARP...)

On a serious note, this whole thing has me a little riled up, though. Some skeez-ball, old-dude attorney from Miami was debating some lady lawyer about it. She said that Paris was getting preferential treatment, which isn't fair. He said that it never was fair to begin with; he says that the jail time was over-the-top for driving on a suspended license.

Maybe he is right. Maybe this judge is making an example of her. If so, I say it's about danged time. Last night the family killed on the 331 bridge last year was brought to my attention. Hop has told me many-a time about the issues with drunks on the road there. Today I was in traffic in my small town just after 12 noon, and had to keep one eye on my rear-view mirror; the guy behind me was juiced up on something. (Meth has become an issue up here, like in many places.)

Too many people put their comfort and convenience before the safety of others, and there seem to be no consequences for it. Make an example of Paris, for the love of all that's holy! (Good grief; it's not like she's missing work for this. When will she ever have to mention it on an employment application?)

I hope I don't start another thread war with my rant...

"Hilton's twisted jailhouse saga began Sept. 7, when she failed a sobriety test after police saw her weaving down a street in her Mercedes-Benz on what she said was a late-night hamburger run.

"She pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines. In the months that followed she was stopped twice while driving on a suspended license. The second stop landed her back in the courtroom." -- Assoc. Press

I'm not sure about the charge, but I thought she was DUI on a suspended license, after getting a DUI only a month or so prior to that.

What Jimmy said...

"Hilton's twisted jailhouse saga began Sept. 7, when she failed a sobriety test after police saw her weaving down a street in her Mercedes-Benz on what she said was a late-night hamburger run.

"She pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 36 months' probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines. In the months that followed she was stopped twice while driving on a suspended license. The second stop landed her back in the courtroom." -- Assoc. Press

This story doesn't note why she was stopped the last two times.

This story doesn't note why she was stopped the last two times.

Here's what I got from msnbc.com, which lines up with cnn.com:


"Here is a chronology of events since Paris Hilton’s arrest last year:

Sept. 7: Officers arrest Paris Hilton in Hollywood, Calif., for investigation of driving under the influence after she was spotted “driving erratically.”

Sept. 26: Hilton is charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence.

Jan. 9: Hilton’s lawyers enter not guilty pleas on her behalf to one count each of driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above.

Jan. 15: Hilton is pulled over by the California Highway Patrol and informed that her license is suspended. She signs a document acknowledging she is not to drive.

Jan. 22: Hilton pleads no contest to a reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving. She is placed on three years’ probation, ordered to enroll in alcohol education and pay $1,500 in fines.

Feb. 27: Hilton is ticketed for misdemeanor driving with a suspended license. A copy of the document signed Jan. 15 is found in her glove compartment. [CNN.com says "she was speeding and driving down Sunset Boulevard with her headlights turned off. Her Bentley Continental GTC is impounded."]

March 29: The city attorney’s office says it will ask a judge to revoke Hilton’s probation.

May 3: Prosecutors recommend Hilton serve 45 days in jail for a probation violation.

May 4: Judge Michael Sauer sentences Hilton to 45 days in jail.

May 6: Publicist Elliot Mintz says he and Hilton have parted ways over an apparent “misunderstanding she received from me regarding the terms of her probation.”

May 8: Hilton rehires Mintz.

May 9: Hilton hires a new attorney, Richard A. Hutton, who specializes in DUI cases.

May 14: Psychiatrist Charles Sophy says in court documents that Hilton is “distraught and traumatized as a consequence of the findings at the May 4 hearing ... and her fear of incarceration.”

May 16: Sheriff’s officials say Hilton will serve 23 days in a special unit away from the general population.

May 17: Hilton drops an appeal of her jail sentence.

June 3: Hilton reports to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood after attending the MTV Movie Awards and saying she’s ready to serve her sentence.

June 4: Hilton’s attorney says his client is doing well under the circumstances.

June 7: Hilton is released from jail because of an undisclosed medical problem and is ordered serve the rest of her sentence in home confinement. Judge Sauer later orders Hilton to appear in his courtroom to determine whether she should return to jail.

June 8: Hilton is escorted from her home to court to appear before Judge Sauer where he orders her returned to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood to serve out her sentence. She reportedly screams and cries as she is led out of the courtroom."

No explanation for why she was pulled over Jan. 15th.

Feb. 27: Hilton is ticketed for misdemeanor driving with a suspended license. A copy of the document signed Jan. 15 is found in her glove compartment. [CNN.com says "she was speeding and driving down Sunset Boulevard with her headlights turned off. Her Bentley Continental GTC is impounded."]

I thought she drove a fancy status symbol hybird Toyota Prius.

Aw crap, I was hoping this was a thread related to an airfare sale.

I thought she drove a fancy status symbol hybird Toyota Prius.

That's her other car, she drives it when she is going to some green function. :roll:

It is easy to poke fun, doesn't anyone see the arrogance on the part of the judge? Does everyone think that judges are all fine upstanding people. Once the judge sentenced her, she became the responsibility of corrections. It is no longer his business. The arrogant ego of the judge is what should be questioned here.

It is easy to poke fun, doesn't anyone see the arrogance on the part of the judge? Does everyone think that judges are all fine upstanding people. Once the judge sentenced her, she became the responsibility of corrections. It is no longer his business. The arrogant ego of the judge is what should be questioned here.

Yep, habitually driving drunk and on a suspended license have nothing to do with it.

I am not defending her. It is the media circus that these judges get caught up in. If it was a regular person, once passed off to corrections the judge is out of it. But with his large ego, he had to stand up for his high moral integrity. I wonder if you can imagine how many judges and priests and doctors are driven home intoxicated by police officers nationwide? You might be surprised!

I am not defending her. It is the media circus that these judges get caught up in. If it was a regular person, once passed off to corrections the judge is out of it. But with his large ego, he had to stand up for his high moral integrity. I wonder if you can imagine how many judges and priests and doctors are driven home intoxicated by police officers nationwide? You might be surprised!

Thank God for police officers.

It is easy to poke fun, doesn't anyone see the arrogance on the part of the judge? Does everyone think that judges are all fine upstanding people. Once the judge sentenced her, she became the responsibility of corrections. It is no longer his business. The arrogant ego of the judge is what should be questioned here.

Wrong Beemn! You are correct that if she had been sentenced with a felony and sent to prison, she would then be turned over to the Corrections' Department and the parole board would then make the determination when she should be released, but she wasn't charged with a felony, but a misdemeanor. Plus, the judge's order specifically stated that she was to do no home incarceration.

I'm certainly not a Paris fan and I'd like to see much better role models for our young girls. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she got 1 DUI, and 2 driving with a suspended license....isn't a 45 day sentence a little over-the-top for that when compared to what the everyday person might get?

I'm certainly not a Paris fan and I'd like to see much better role models for our young girls. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she got 1 DUI, and 2 driving with a suspended license....isn't a 45 day sentence a little over-the-top for that when compared to what the everyday person might get?

45 days is what the prosecutor wanted, but the judge cut the time to 23 days. Of course, now it is back to 45, I think. If she would STFU, act like an adult, quit trying to throw money and power around, she would probably be out in a couple of weeks for good behavior.

It is easy to poke fun, doesn't anyone see the arrogance on the part of the judge? Does everyone think that judges are all fine upstanding people. Once the judge sentenced her, she became the responsibility of corrections. It is no longer his business. The arrogant ego of the judge is what should be questioned here.

No, I don't think that all judges are fine upstanding people. There are good ones and bad ones. Being a judge doesn't make one good or bad.

Not that I really care in the least bit, but I disagree that the Judge has no business stepping in when she was released against specific orders. The Sheriff is sworn to uphold the laws, and in this case, it sounds like he failed to do so. A Judge's order isn't some guideline from which the Sheriff can make his own decisions whether or not to follow. If Sheriff Joe, from Maricopa County, Arizona was the Sheriff in charge, Brittney, or whatever her name is, would be serving time wearing black and whites, in a hot tent in the dessert.


From a CNN story on Sheriff Joe:

Arpaio is among the state's most popular office-holders. He enjoys an 85 percent approval rating among voters in the county, which at 9,200 square miles is larger than some states, and includes the city of Phoenix.


Even some inmates treat him like a celebrity. As the sheriff stands in a group of female prisoners, one presents a legal pad.


"You want an autograph? What you got here? What's your name?" he asks.


On another occasion, a male prisoner, a look of anger on his face, tries to talk to the sheriff, who quickly interrupts:

"You have been convicted. You're doing your time. Do your time and shut your mouth and do what you have to do."

Paul Harvey talks about Sheriff Joe from time to time, saying that reciditivism might not be such an issue if others in corrections followed his examples. NOBODY wants to go back to his jail!

Here is a snip from Susan Estrich:
She didn't just violate the law once. She didn't just violate the law twice. It was the third time that was the charm. I talked to the CHP officer who stopped her one of those times, and he made perfectly clear to her that she had no right to be driving on a license suspended because of her earlier reckless driving.
It wasn't that she didn't understand what was permitted. She didn't care. She figured she'd get away with it because of who she is, and she was right.

This was written before she went back to the prison. If I recall correctly, the Judge was so irate from the beginning of this because the Hiltons treated it like a big joke and acted-out in the courtroom. I think she deserves special treatment while imprisoned, but she can't be above the law.

....isn't a 45 day sentence a little over-the-top for that when compared to what the everyday person might get?

driving on a suspended license in colorado gets one 5 days minimum mandatory per occurrance.

rapunzel, why should she get special treatment upon incarceration?

driving on a suspended license in colorado gets one 5 days minimum mandatory per occurrance.

rapunzel, why should she get special treatment upon incarceration?

I think you were aiming that at me What I mean is that I think the state owes her a certain amount of safety while in prison, and she should be confined from a population of bad apples that might be looking to kick her ass in order to achieve celebrity status. Basically that it is reasonable for her to be in a private cell and segregated from the general populace.

Talk about cruel and unusual punishment, I was stuck in the airport terminal for several hours friday listening to the inane coverage!

One of the few intelligent things said by an analyst was that the judges/prosecuters etc. are fed up w/ getting convictions and the sheriff releasing the people after a fraction of the time to make room for more serious cases. 60 days usually means 2 etc.

Also loved the comment "of course she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown. As a lawyer I've been in jails all over the country and a good percentage of the inmates are in mental distress. That's why it's a punishment."