Fans Petition Leniency for "Lost " Star Michelle Rodriguez

Hoping to influence the judge, fans of Michelle Rodriguez are signing a Plea for Leniency on petitionspot.com. Posted by Leigh Lewallen, webmaster for the Official Michelle Rodriguez website and Michelle's Myspace, the petition opens with this statement:

"There is no lesson that Michelle Rodriguez could learn in 180 days that she couldn't learn in 18, or even 8. We do not believe that the imprisonment of this women is a demonstration of justice nor a fair punishment for her crimes."

Although the October 10^th posting on the Official Michelle Rodriguez Myspace blog reports that Rodriguez was "just fine" and "positive as ever," MSNBC's Access Hollywood reported that Rodriguez was "gripping" about her 6 month sentence to paparazzi. Fans are taking up her cause.

Sentenced to 180 days after violating the rules of her probation, Rodriguez must turn herself in by Christmas Eve. The delay allows the actress to fly to New Zealand for the filming of James Cameron's new movie Avatar.

"Michelle is a survivor and is always growing from her experiences, and this will be no different." Reports the Rodriguez Myspace blog, but her official website is a little more reserved stating simply, "Yes, it's true. But Michelle is Michelle, so no worries."

The Plea for Leniency, however, does emphasize the empathetic, altruistic Rodriguez. Addressed to Judge Daviann L. Mitchell, the petition states:

"To us, she is not a celebrity. We do not just support her for her few films or her professional career. We support her as a human being who, flaws included, has demonstrated so much kindness to others."

The petition is a plea for Judge Daviann to reduce or reverse the 180 day sentence imposed on Rodriguez:

"We are asking, nay begging you to have mercy on Ms. Rodriguez and reverse or lesson your decision for her to serve so much time behind bars. She is a good soul and has much to offer the world that cannot be achieved if imprisoned for such an amount of time."

Despite overcrowding in LA jails, Judge Daviann specifically ruled that Rodriguez is not to be granted an early release. Rodriguez violated her probation by failing to supply proof of completing her community service and for consuming alcohol three times while wearing an alcohol monitory device, reports Ken Lee on People.com.

Both the Official Michelle Rodriguez Website and Michelle's official Myspace page include links to the Plea for Leniency. According to Lewallen, the petition combines the sentiments expressed by fans who are both outraged by the 180 day sentence and eager to show their love and support for the former star of ABC's smash hit "Lost."

Although some feel the Rodriguez sentence is a harsh backlash against celebrity leniency, others cite previous infractions as the grounds for the sentencing.

Already serving a three year probation for pleading no contest to 2003 charges of DUI and driving without a license, Rodriguez was again arrested in 2005 for a DUI in Hawaii. In May of 2006, Rodriguez only served 4 hours and 20 minutes of a two-month sentence for violating probation (in addition to two days of jail time in Hawaii), Lee reported.

The petition assures the judge that:

"The Michelle of today is not the same Michelle of 2 years ago who committed that second DUI, or even the same Michelle of a year ago. She is not perfect, and even she will admit she's made many mistakes, but she's ever evolving, as we all are."

At the time of the 2005 DUI charges, the executive producer of "Lost," JJ Abrams insisted that Michelle Rodriguez would not be dropped from the show because of her legal troubles, according to SFgate.com. Despite this public show of support, Rodriguez claims she experienced financial hardship after her character was eventually written off the show. With little more than a reputation for being reckless, Rodriguez faced extensive fines and legal fees.

Whether the petition for leniency falls on deaf ears or not, Rodriguez may have already received her biggest break from James Cameron, who's willing to take a risk on the actress and from Judge Mitchell for delaying her sentence so she can report to the set.

Sources:

Lee, Ken. Michelle Rodriguez Sentenced to 6 Months Jail. People.com
Lewallen, Leigh. Home Page. Michelle Rodriguez Official Site.
Lewallen, Leigh. The News.Official Michelle Rodriguez Myspace.
Lewallen, Leigh. Plea for Leniency. Petitionspot.com
Unknown. Michelle Rodriguez Gripes about her Sentence. MSNBC.com
Unknown. Michelle Rodriguez-Actress. About.com: Crime/Punishment.
Unknown. Abrams Won't Drop Rodriquez Because of Legal Woes. SFgate.com