Drama as Paris ordered to court
2007-06-08 18:49
Los Angeles - A judge ordered that Paris Hilton be brought to court on Friday for a hearing on her early release from jail rather than listen to the proceeding by telephone.
The decision by Superior Court Judge Michael T Sauer was the latest in a flurry of developments surrounding Hilton's early release from prison. That move sparked protests by many - including local and state authorities and civil rights leaders - who argued it could interpreted as affording the socialite favours not available to other, less famous, inmates.
Sauer's decision was announced by court spokesperson Allan Parachini shortly before the start of a hearing that could put her behind bars again for violating probation in a reckless driving case.
Special treatment?
"Judge Sauer has instructed the Sheriff's Department to go to Ms Hilton's residence, pick her up and bring her here. That is happening now," Parachini told reporters outside the courthouse.
Hilton on Thursday was originally ordered to report to court at 09:00 and the judge signed an order for deputies to bring her in a sheriff's vehicle from her home, said Allan Parachini. But early on Friday, Parachini had announced that she would be allowed to take part in the hearing by telephone. He said he understood that was her attorney's desire and it was not unusual for phones to be used in misdemeanour cases.
Outside the courthouse, people on other business stopped to gawk at news cameras. One of them was Moses Baltazar who was attempting to clear up his own traffic ticket. He said he was no fan of Hilton, noting she once tipped him only a dollar when he worked as a valet, even though he helped keep paparazzi away from her.
He also said there was no excuse for her flouting the law. "Driving like that, you have to behave. If you're rich, you have money, you have to respect yourself," he said, adding he thinks she should be returned to jail.
The frenzy began early on Thursday when sheriff's officials released Hilton because of an undisclosed medical condition and sent her to her Hollywood Hills home under house arrest where she was to serve out the remainder of her 45-day sentence. She had spent three days, and was credited for five.
'Celebrity' justice
Hilton was fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and was expected to finish the sentence for a reckless driving probation violation at her four-bedroom, three-bath home. In jail, she was expected to serve just 23 days.
"What transpired here is outrageous," county Supervisor Don Knabe told The Associated Press, adding he received more than 400 angry e-mails and hundreds more phone calls from around the country.
Hilton's return home "gives the impression of ... celebrity justice being handed out," he said.
Baca dismissed the criticism, saying the decision was made based on medical advice.
"It isn't wise to keep a person in jail with her problem over an extended period of time and let the problem get worse," Baca told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
"My message to those who don't like celebrities is that punishing celebrities more than the average American is not justice," Baca said.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown criticised the sheriff's department for letting Hilton out of jail, saying he believed she should serve out her sentence.
The Los Angeles County jail system is so overcrowded that attorneys and jail officials have said it is not unusual for nonviolent offenders like Hilton to be released after serving as little as 10% of their sentences.
In the hours after Hilton's release, it was a madcap scene outside her house in the hills above the Sunset Strip. As word spread that the 26-year-old poster child for bad celebrity behaviour was back home, radio helicopter pilots who normally report on traffic conditions were dispatched to hover over her house and describe it to morning commuters. Paparazzi photographers on the ground quickly assembled outside its gates.
Shortly before noon, Hilton issued a statement through her attorney.
"I want to thank the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and staff of the Century Regional Detention Centre for treating me fairly and professionally," she said. "I am going to serve the remaining 40 days of my sentence. I have learned a great deal from this ordeal and hope that others have learned from my mistakes."
A judge has ordered that Paris Hilton be brought to court for a hearing on her early release from jail rather than listen to the proceeding by telephone.
- SAPA