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More Than One Night in Jail For Paris
By
Jen Chung
Published May 5, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 5, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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It's a tabloid Saturday jackpot as a Los Angeles County judge sentenced "celebrity" Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail. Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer agreed with prosecutors who felt that Hilton's driving with a suspended license (she was busted for DUI on September 7, 2006, ordered to go to alcohol education this past February, and then was pulled over yet again in late February) deserved jail and sentenced the infamous sometimes New Yorker to 45 days in jail. Both the Post and Daily News put her on their covers and detailed yesterday's hearing. From the News:
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 boozerelated driving charge in January.
Her publicist, Elliot Mintz, tried to take the fall, testifying that he told Hilton it was okay to drive after 30 days for "work-related" purposes. He claimed he was misinformed.
Worst advisers and lawyers in the world! Judge Sauer said the signed document from her January incident was the "smoking gun," "She signs it, she carries it in her car for two months. In my opinion, she knew her license was suspended." He called Mintz "worthless" as well and said, "I can't believe that either attorney did not tell her that the suspension had been upheld. She wanted to disregard everything that was said and continue to drive no matter what."
Her lawyers tried to arrange for a work release program, but Sauer held firm and demanded that she report to the Century Regional Detention Center b June 5. The AP has a description of jail - did you know Daryl Hannah (after being arrested for activism) and Michelle Rodriguez (probation violation) both served a few hours there? Rodriguez was supposed to serve 60 days, but was released shortly after because of overcrowding!
Hilton's lawyers will appeal, with head attorney Howard Weitzman saying, "I'm shocked, I'm surprised and really disheartened in the system that I've worked in for close to 40 years.. I think she's singled out because of who she is." Ya think? And in truly classy fashion, Hilton's mother Kathy said to the prosecutor, ""I want your autograph. This is pathetic," and then said to no one in particular, "I can't believe all the money we spent on this." Kathy Hilton also accused a deputy of touching her breast. LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's statement, "City Attorney Delgadillo believes today's ruling sends a clear message that in the City of Los Angeles, no one is above the law."
While we're no fans of Hilton, it is interesting that she's quite possibly headed to the slammer while other celebrity drivers who have killed people, such as Rebecca Gayheart, Brandy, and Matthew Broderick (in Ireland) haven't faced jail time. We guess the DA's really want to make people realize drunk driving and driving with a suspended license isn't hot.
Another celebrity who has many run-ins with the police lately: Busta Rhymes, who doesn't have many fans in the NYPD. And community service has been popular for celebrities in NYC - Boy George and Naomi Campbell have both worked for the Department of Sanitation.
Photograph of Paris Hilton, accompanied by her father, outside the LA Municipal Court by Damian Dovarganes/AP
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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