Paris Hilton asks for pardon!?
Paris Hilton, by way of one of her myspace pals has started a online petition to be pardoned so that she will not have to do jail time.
The story of Paris Hilton being arrested for DUI was no different from other Hollywood celebrities, except there seemed to be a rash of them in one month. Today I read a story about how Schwarzenegger ‘Too Busy’ to Bother with Paris on Hollywood.Com that tells of the petition to pardon Ms. Hilton and how the California Governor has distanced himself from the case.
This petition, called the FREE PARIS HILTON PETITION is addressed to Arnold Schwarzenegger calling her DUI a “honest mistake”. She was sentenced to 45 days in jail for breaking the terms of that DUI and driving on a suspended license, that was no mistake. One day Ms. Hilton is claiming she is ready to face the consequences of her DUI and later asking for a pardon. Her lawyers have already filed an appeal of the sentencing on her behalf. Question is, why was she not taken to jail then? Paris Hilton is to report to jail on June 5th with a appeal and online petition in progress. Paris stated that she is not above the law in the same interview, yet was photographed driving only a few days after her sentencing.
I have to wonder just how many will actually sign such a petition. Moreover, how many of those who do sign will regret they did when someone close to them is hurt or killed by someone driving impaired or on a suspended license. Realistically, how valid would a petition like this be? Given that the petition originates from a myspace account and there is no entry for age or voter verification.
Here is an interesting outlook by Attorney Alan Dershowitz about celebrity injustice entitled Star cases put our entire legal system on trial. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.
Technorati Tags: celebrity injustice, dui, dwi, hollywood, law, paris hilton
May 14th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
actually, Paris supposedly violated her probation of a DUI. On of the conditions was she thought her license was only suspended for 30 days. The judge also commented on the competency of her lawyers for also believing this. from an article on the Fox News website (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269890,00.html) – “called to the stand was Hilton’s spokesman, Elliot Mintz. Hilton and her attorneys characterized Mintz as a liaison betweeen 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.”
As for why didn’t she go to jail right away, well she is going to a county jail. You don’t get sent there immediately for probation violation. They set up a report date.
Then there is also the fact in California, that celebs can PAY to go to the jail of their choosing. The judge refused to let Paris do that. Again from that same article – “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.”
The law is not the same for everyone. It gets proven every day.
May 14th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Hi Brett,
While that story is enlightening on some of the facts, it also shows a few things I failed to mention. Such as her not signing up for the alcohol program. Pay to go to a certain jail in California?
Oh my, I am not from that place! Well, maybe.
But really, the petition gag is what I am really looking at. There is an old saying that there is no such thing as “bad” publicity. Paris, it seems, is trying her hardest to prove that wrong or right. I have since found yet another “free Paris” petition and a “jail Paris” petition as well. This was the other day and I have not checked the numbers of of this time, but the jail time was winning last I looked.
It all seems to be a bunch of people jumping on the Hilton publicity train. I suppose, some would rule me guilty of that on a smaller scale.
One real good point that Dershowitz makes, is that a celebrity, when they get into trouble, go on trial both in court and in public opinion. We have certainly seen where that is true.
Thanks for your comment and outlook.
May 15th, 2007 at 7:34 am
The thing I can’t believe is that her parents, especially her father, haven’t sat her down long ago. How is this stuff not damaging to them & their business?? I guess since her uncle Baron Hilton, is actually the main person running the family business, it doesn’t take as much of toll. I don’t know. At least Nikki is staying away from sister Paris & not getting into all this trouble with her.
Yes, celebs, athletes, & the wealthy have a much different set of laws to live by. Paying to choose where you serve your time. Wonder if I could get such an option if I get into any trouble ?????
June 9th, 2007 at 12:19 am
Wasn’t the news reports on Paris being released from jail, having the sheriff pick her up at her house to come to court today because she did not show up thinking the Judge would talk to her via the telephone and getting put back in jail a real joke??? No Brett, I doubt that you or me either one would have that option. Looks like Nicole Richie will be going to jail as well. Yes there is a different set of rules for the rich and famous.
June 9th, 2007 at 1:40 am
well according to Greta Van Sustren from Fox, Paris is a very ill woman. Great said she is not a doctor, so she can’t say if Paris is having withdrawls, but from the court today, she needs medical attention. From everything she said, it also seems the sheriffs department made alot of mistakes & the Hilton family may have a case against them. Seems it was the sheriffs department that just let her out instead of filing the correct paperwork & then it was a sheriffs department deputy that told everyone in the media it would be a phone case. She said the judge heard that on the radio on his way to court & went nuts. Right now, Paris is paying for the incompetence of the sheriffs department.
What I don’t get is, this is a 45 DAY sentence, not 45 year. How can lawyers get appeals & such that fast. If this were me, I’d be done with the 45 days before the appeal was heard.
June 9th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Me too. Different justice for the rich and mighty.
June 25th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Tomorrow Paris gets out of jail and we can all watch her tell the world how she has changed and will do something with her life by watching “LARRY KING”, Wednesday night. This should be interesting and if anyone watches it, I look forward to reading their take on the interview. I bet Paris will be a good spokesperson for getting out early and only serving half of her sentence due to overcrowded jails.