'Paris has fulfilled her debt'
2007-06-26 14:18
Lynwood - A smiling Paris Hilton walked out of a Los Angeles County jail early on Tuesday, officially ending a bizarre, three-week stay that ignited furious debate over celebrity treatment in the jail system.
The 26-year-old celebutante was greeted by an enormous gathering of cameras and reporters upon leaving the all-women's facility in Lynwood about 15 minutes past midnight.
The hotel heiress was released after three weeks for reasons including good behaviour.
She will complete her probation in March 2009 as long as she keeps her driver's license current and does not break any laws.
She can reduce that time by 12 months if she does community service that could include a public-service announcement, the city attorney's office has said.
Hilton had checked into the Century Regional Detention Facility late on June 3, largely avoiding the spotlight, after a surprise appearance at the MTV Movie Awards.
Hilton smiled and waved as she filed past deputies and the media, her blond hair pulled back in a braided ponytail.
In good spirits
Her parents, Kathy and Rick, waited in a black SUV. Hilton hurried to the vehicle, where she hugged her mom through the window.
Hilton, who was wearing a sage jacket with white trim over a white shirt and skinny jeans, did not respond to reporters' questions.
"She fulfilled her debt. She was obviously in good spirits. She thanked people as she left," said sheriff's spokesperson Steve Whitmore.
Photographers sprinted after Hilton's vehicle as she left. When the SUV hit a red light during the ride, photographers jumped out of their cars and swarmed it.
Hilton appeared to have gone to a family home in a ritzy Los Angeles canyon north of Sunset Boulevard.
- AP