Paris' Get Out of Jail Free Card Revoked

With the Paris Hilton saga engulfing the national news it should cause America to pause and reflect upon the state of this nation, the values and morals exhibited by elected officials and law enforcement officers, and the message that these actions are sending to our highly impressionable children.

Paris Hilton was arrested on September 8, 2006 in Hollywood, California, shortly after mid-night for suspected Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Her erratic driving, subsequent failure of field sobriety tests, and breath analysis of 0.08 blood alcohol content provided sufficient probable cause for criminal charges to be lodged against the Heiress. Hilton claims to have indulged in only one Margarita while attending a charity event. In the December, 2006 issue of Seventeen Magazine, Paris and her publicist attempted to minimize the event by issuing the following plea: "I hadn't eaten all day. I was really hungry. I was driving fast because I needed a burger." The Simple Life starwas also featured in a full page ad in that same magazine were she boasts "All it takes is one drink to mess with the way you drive - it clouds your judgment and slows your reflexes. Don't take any chances. It just isn't worth it." Isn't this really a mixed message that she is sending to our youth? On one hand, Paris is trying to justify her actions. On the flip side, she's preaching not to drink and drive.

Hilton entered a plea of No Contest to Reckless Driving in January, 2007 and was sentenced to 3 years probation, ordered to enroll in alcohol abuse education within 21 days of her sentencing, and fined $1,500.00. Isn't it interesting that Paris pleaded "No Contest". A No Contest Plea is not an admission of guilty rather a plea that is made when there is no contest to the facts and evidence presented by the prosecutor.

Having received mercy from the Court, Paris Hilton continued merrily on her way blatantly disregarding the directives hand down by the Judge. First of all, she didn't enroll in the alcohol education within 21 days of her sentencing. Secondly, she received a traffic violation on February 27, 2007 for driving on a suspended license, without headlights, in the middle of the night, traveling 70 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone.

The Prosecutors in the superstar's case were compelled, either by law, morality, or both, to bring the wrongs of Hilton to the Court's attention. On May 4, 2007 a hearing upon the State's Motion to Revoke Probation was held and Paris was sentenced to 45 days in jail and she was ordered to begin serving the sentence on June 5, 2007. The antics that ensued subsequent to this sentencing were down right nauseating.

After beefing up her legal team Paris directed an immediate appeal be filed challenging the 45 day stay in the slammer. It isn't clear if she just came to her senses or exactly what motivated the star, but she abandoned her appeal efforts. However, in the continued spirit of inequity, it was determined that Hilton would serve only 23 days of her sentence, in a special housing unit, due to expected good behavior.

After attending the MTV Movie Awards on June 5, 2007, Paris Hilton was booked at 11:38 p.m. into the all female, maximum security, Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California. Her 23 day stay was scheduled to be in a 12-by-8 foot cell that she would call home for 23 hours per day. There is ample time allotted to each prison for showering, recreational activities or a telephone conversation. Paris' cell phone, BlackBerry, and all other electronic communication devices were surrendered upon her arrival.

Three days after her arrival in prison, Sheriff Lee Baca authorized her early release from the facility into home confinement, with electronic monitoring, due to an unspecified medical condition. The word pandemonium is inadequate to describe the public outrage regarding her release. Less than 18 hours after busting free, Paris was taken into custody by authorities and hauled back to Court. Apparently the Sheriff, or his designee, omitted consultation with Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer prior to Hilton's release. In fact, Judge Sauer stated the he did not approve or condone releasing Paris into home confinement and ordered her immediate return to prison to complete her entire 45 day jail sentence.

Paris Hilton, whether we like it or not, has captivated the attention of many young and impressionable youth and teens in America. By nature, humans are intrigued and drawn to celebrities who are attractive, wealthy and risque. Paris seemingly dominates each of these categories. As such, her actions and reactions are often mimicked by her followers. The outrageous conduct displayed by Hilton throughout this legal battle sets a horrific precedence for her worshipers. It is my hope that during Paris' incarceration that she will reflect upon the activities that landed her in jail and consider the impact of her behavior on her young fans.