LOS ANGELES – 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 on 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 Sauer ruled after a hearing.
The judge 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,” Hilton told the judge before he announced the sentence.
She was then ordered to report to a women’s jail in suburban Lynwood on 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.
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 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.”
One of her attorneys, 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.
Hilton had arrived at the Metropolitan Courthouse 10 minutes late and ignored screams of photographers as she swept in with her attorneys, her mother, and her father, Rick Hilton.
Wearing a gray jacket and white shirt over black slacks and with a black headband on, she said nothing and appeared serious.
Jail life
Paris Hilton better like chicken.
Inmates get three low-sodium meals a day, with dinner the only hot meal. Beef and pork aren’t served.
Like other high-profile Los Angeles County inmates – O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake, Robert Mitchum, Sirhan Sirhan and Charles Manson – Hilton will be segregated from the general population for her own safety, living in a one- or two-person cell.
Her cell will be spartan: 12-by-8 feet with a toilet, sink and a window 6 inches wide. She’ll comb her locks in a mirror of polished metal.
Breakfast is served between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., hours when Hilton sometimes gets in after a night of partying.
Inmates in segregation are allowed outside their cells for at least an hour each day to shower, watch television in the day room, participate in outdoor recreation or talk on the telephone.
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