Seems that Ms. Hilton is not going to be getting the star treatment from Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer.

Screaming Paris Hilton sent back to jail

And now the Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca maybe facing contempt of court charges, since the judge had already ruled that she was not to be released under house arrest.

Questions for debate:

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?

The right decision. Spending her time in "house arrest" for 40 days in her own place with her own personal servants is not justice. She was getting off more easily than most of the rest of us would for a DUI and reckless conduct while driving on a suspended license for doing the same.

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?

Wrong. And they need to check his bank account. I expect they will find a substantial recent deposit.

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?

According to what I read, she cried and screamed during the proceedings. If this is true (I hope so), she should serve substantial extra time for contempt of court. This is a pathetic, spoiled excuse for a human being.

I wasn't excited yesterday when Ted bumped my thead about Joe Arpaio based on the information that Paris Hilton was sent home. I'm not very excited about her being sent back. California can take care of its own leagal ping pong match. I would say tennis, but it doesn't deserve that grand designation. I'm sick of Paris Hilton and (if the women on the board, MrsP, Lesly, Jaime, PE, Daffy, Cyan, bucket and others will excuse me) all the other littly "girly" clowns that keep getting into the news.

The surreal thing today wasn't Hilton's being sent back to jail, but the carnival atmosphere involved when the police picked her up at the house. Instead of police cars chasing people, you had people with cameras running down the street trying to catch police cars.

She was reportedly crying this morning. Crying is a healthy emotion, it releases much anger and frustration. What should happen to Hilton - from this point, at least.

1. I wish the news media would let her lick her wounds in private.

2. Whether you like, dislike or are just sick of the media coverage and no longer give a damn, I would paraphrase what Bill Clinton said at Correta Scott King's funeral - "there's a person in there" - somewhere.

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?
Finally a judge who isn't swayed by celebrity! Paris appears to have contempt for the rule of law, and hopefully this will teach her a well-earned lesson!

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?
Sheriff Baca was wrong in going against the judge's orders which Judge Sauer made very plain in his Order.

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?
Since she is a first time offender it seems like a heavy sentence to me, but nevertheless the judge made his order very plain. Paris Hilton doesn't live a "real" life as we all know it. She will definitely get a book deal out of this experience !

I'm on the fence with this. And this could end up being an interesting debate.

I don't hate Paris Hilton. I don't even know her. So, I wouldn't take any pleasure in her punishment. I have no reason to feel ill will towards her.

If the jails are full and people guilty of crimes/agreements equal to or greater than Paris Hilton's are not required to serve time, then I think sending her to jail because she's a rich white woman (or whichever stereotypical image works for you) is wrong. However, if people guilty of crimes less than or equal to hers are in jail, then giving her special treatment is just as wrong.

I keep hearing that people more guilty than her are not required to serve time, but I haven't been able to find any substantiation of that. Of course, this issue has never been on my radar screen either.

Barring evidence that all people in her situation go to prison, I believe she may have a point. Simply being rich and famous for being famous doesn't justify unequal treatment.

Judge Sauer: Right.
Sheriff Baca: Wrong
Paris Hilton: Jailbird.

My initial reaction to this master criminal finally being thrown in the slammer?

HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!

Some of the walking wastes of space that proclaim Paris as their goddess say she should go free because she brings meaning and joy to their joyless, meaningless lives. By locking this STD on two legs away, Judge Sauer has brought a lot of smiles to millions of citizens who believe if you break the law and sneer at justice you pretty much deserve to get hammered for it.

Every so often it's refreshing to see money and celebrity can't get you out of the stupid decisions you make. Mommy and Daddy's money can't protect Paris from facing the music and I don't see a downside to it. If you can't get be a good example, you'll just have to be a bad example. Paris Hilton is a bad example.

Here is a young woman with no discernible talent for anything besides partying, spending money, being photographed and engaging in a sexual act too graphic to discuss in polite company. Andy Warhol said in the future everyone would be famous for 15 minutes, but Warhol assumed everyone would at least be good at something. Paris is famous only for being famous. How cool is that?

My sincere hope is the corrections officers that strip-search, de-lice and cavity search Ms. Hilton are wearing double gloves. I fear for their safety.

Best line I've heard all day about Paris in the Pokey: 45 days is a long sentence for Paris Hilton? I'd say 6 words would be a long sentence for Paris Hilton.

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?

Right decision.

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?

Wrong. Nobody can tell me that there aren't hundreds of people incarcerated every day who cry, have temper tantrums, and are on the verge of mental breakdowns.

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?

As the old cliche' goes: If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. She should be treated the same way any ordinary person who broke the same laws would be treated.

What I find particularly distasteful about this whole thing is that there also was a space shuttle launch to retrieve one of the astonauts from the space station yesterday, and I didn't get wind of it until the 11 o'clock news. At that, it was reported after the heiress/princess/airhead was once again publicized.

...And how many Iraqis and soldiers died in Iraq today?

Aw c'mon PaladinElspeth! Are you trying to suggest something else happened today?

At one time, CNN, CNN Headline News, Fox and MSNBC were all running stories and talking heads yapping about this total non-story. A spoiled brat gets slapped on the wrist and the whole world grinds to a halt.

And then the suits at the mainstream media news networks wonder why young people turn to Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for their information. The continuing dumbing down of the news in this country is an endless ongoing source of depression.

I have to confess that I watched the whole thing this morning while I was working and laughed my back-end off at some of the comments made by the FOX News people. It was the funniest television I've seen in quite some time. They had this "celebrity lawyer" guy on who was just hilarious. Some samples of the conversation.......

"So, if you were her lawyer would you advise her to show up looking sick?"
"Hell, if I was her lawyer I'd tell her to show up on a gurney."

"Do you think she'll ride to court in a police car?"
"No, she's so stupid she'll probably drive herself in."

and the kicker......

"Some of her friends have reported that one of her stresses in jail was the inability to wax. Now, how many millions of dollars would you charge to Paris Hilton to go in front of this judge and complain about the conditions in jail because Paris couldn't wax?"
"I'd do that one for free! That would be the highlight of my legal career!"



In any case, the judge did the right thing in all of this. When people regardless of their celebrity start putting themselves above the law and flaunting the legal system the way Paris Hilton has, you have to step on them. That's the judge's job, and he did a pretty good job of it.

Baca was completely wrong and quite frankly lucky his backside didn't end up in jail for contempt. The judge in this case is a California Superior Court judge and you don't screw around with one of those. If Baca wanted to push the issue the judge could have completely removed him from the equation and send Paris Hilton to a state prison. Heck, come to think of it, he could have sent Baca along with her.

I think Paris Hilton belongs on some other planet, but getting a little dose of reality in a jail cell might do her a little bit of good. It might make some of these other "celebrities" we have out here think a little bit as well. Regardless of what they think about themselves, they aren't above the law.

Anyway, there's a reason LA is the entertainment capital of the world.

Aquilla

Barring evidence that all people in her situation go to prison.... DR, what do you think would happen to you if you first received a DUI, then failed to take a mandatory rehab class, drove with a suspended license and were caught (fined and released)....then were caught driving drunk yet again while on a suspended license? Do you honestly believe that you would spend only four days total behind bars?

This is a celebrity with total disregard for the law and those around her (that's us, not her mother and friends). When caught and warned, she not only failed to carry out the required sentence, but continued to endanger the public with her reckless conduct. She belongs behind bars and 45 days is a modicum of what she deserves. Or do you think a DUI is a joke, like Hilton and her mother obviously do? How many people are injured every year because of idiots like Hilton?

I've even stopped reading much of the local papers. The fake news I take in every day (that it's fresh), and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me to gain a broader perspective each week (that it's fresh).

The ugly fact of the matter is that rich people get special treatment in our justice system. That's not news. Ms. Hilton gets a break, and that's the breaks. Maybe I feel a little sad for the wench. She isn't that good looking, lacks any identifiable talent or skill, and the only thing going for her is an accident of birth. Nobody would hang with her if it weren't for the money. What kind of life is that?

Okay, so she can't stop her drinking and driving. That's a clear danger to society, so lock her up, get her sober, or how about this -- have mummy hire her a driver. Driving Miss Paris, sure to be a hit comedy series. Could even be a reality show with viewers voting off drivers each week. Meanwhile, Miss Paris will be drinking herself into an early grave in the back seat with her strange companions who pretend to be friends. That would bring in some fear factor. Invite the guys who do Red State Update onto the show.

Here's the basic thing about the news, fake news and popular entertainment: It's better to laugh than to cry.

And that's the trouble. What we're getting over the airwaves is sensationalism when we really need to get serious about what's going on in the world.

But rather than reflect on issues over which we are not supposed to have any control (global warming, the war in Iraq) the news/entertainment industry diverts our attention with the latest misadventures of Barbie Incarnate and her flouting of the laws the rest of us pay strict penalties for disobeying.

I don't want to see Paris Hilton--that unfortunate little twit who thinks that the playtime she is living is actually life--get emotionally destroyed in jail if that is what actually started to happen. I don't laugh about her misfortune, but I do derive some satisfaction out of knowing that this time a celebrity will not get away with making a mockery of the legal system, such as it is and no thanks to Sheriff Baca.

I'm with you, AuthorMusician--it is better to laugh than to cry. But it would be nice if some actual good came out of this, like a serious examination of how fame and money actually do influence the legal system.

Here in Dayton, Ohio? Of course. I should and I would.

But in California, the jails are over-crowded. People far more guilty than her (in terms of the "weight" of the crime) may be getting house arrest or no jail time because of the overcrowding. So, if that is the case, forcing her to jail is not equal treatment.

I find it pretty funny that some that think the entire world is racist take joy in Paris Hilton going to jail because of being a famous white rich girl. She's never done any harm to these people. It's not her fault the news media is talking about her instead of Iraq. Over at D.U.M.B., it's the same - people of "tolerance" have no tolerance for rich people. Like here, she is getting blamed for the lack of Iraq coverage as if she called the networks and said, "Could you please stop talking about the important issues of today and talk about me instead?". It's not up to her. It's up to the overwhelming majority of the American people who have no more sense than her that drives the ratings up when they talk about her instead. But I don't see anybody questioning their intelligence or targeting their hate-mongering at them. Really, they are the problem - not her.

Is she the first one to get popped for driving on a suspended license? First to make a sex tape? Really, what has she done to anybody that warrants all this hatred? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I'm not saying she shouldn't go to jail, but I am saying she deserves equal treatment as others in her situation. If she is getting equal treatment, she needs to shut the heck up and do her time. But if they are releasing others that are guilty of more serious crimes than her due to overcrowding, than I think she is being discriminated against for being a rich white girl. I can't say how that is anymore justified than sending someone to prison simply for being a poor black guy.

If there is a reason she needs to be in jail, than she should go to jail. But "resentment" is not just cause to send someone to prison ahead of others more deserving.

I am going to take a slightly different view on this. I do not like Paris Hilton and I cannot for the life of me understand why people are obsessed with her and other teenage celebs who party and do drugs. Its probably a sad reflection on the state of American culture. But anyway, I think Hilton deserved to be in jail and to carry out her sentence. The Sheriff was wrong to release her into house arrest as he does not have such authority. However, what happened next does get at me a little bit. I could join the chorus and commend the judge for putting Hilton back in jail, but I do not know if I can. Hilton being sent home, while partly due to her acting, was a decision that ultimately rested with the Sheriff. Going to jail, being allowed to go home, and then being told to go back, to me, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. I know many will counter with a simple "cry me a river," but Hilton should be responsible for her own actions, not that of the Sheriff. If I was the judge, I would have maintained the house arrest (as much as I hate that) and arrested the Sheriff on the spot.

leder,

I agree with some of what you say.

Perhaps one of the better points of wisdom in restraint - that is not kicking someone while they are down, not join the chorus demanding someone's hide.

I'm not so sure about the jurisdiction thing.

MSMBC had Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio on yesterday. In my opinion, he's the same swine he's always been. He still serves 15 cent meals to inmates, some of whom haven't been convicted of anything. Yesterday he said the following things about the l line of authority in Los Angeles County.

MSNBC does not provide transcripts for daytime programming. I don’t have a link. I did, however, listen rather carefully to what Arpaio said and I doubt he would disagree with how I’ve enumerated his points.

1. He did not agree with Sheriff Baca's releasing Hilton. He would not have.

2. Even though he didn't agree with what Baca did, he defended his right to do it. He said that this was within the "constitutional" powers of the sheriff. Constitutional powers? I don't know about that, but I got the feeling that he and other sheriffs have had differences with district attorneys and courts before, but without the publicity.

3. Arpaio said that his department routinely cuffed inmates – that he would have cuffed her, but observed that other jurisdictions did things differently and that too was the call of the sheriff. He took note of the security problem and said he would have sent twenty sheriff’s cars to handle the situation.

The best video I could find on the jurisdictional issue and the circus outside Hilton’s house was on ABC.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?...4300&page=1

My liberalism springs from some deep philosophical roots. Although I’ve lived in the Bible Belt all my life, I have rejected the notion of “original sin” or the idea that people are inherently evil.

I am an existentialist. I think people are born with a blank tablet. It is not what they have been or what they are but what they are in the process of becoming. The grave or ashes are the only ends to the existential process.

As I’ve already said, I’m tired of Paris Hilton, but as an existentialist and a former school teacher, I see people not only as they are but might become given the right milieu. Although I’m weary of all the Hilton news, I’m not ready to give up on the notion that 26-year-old can't become a productive citizen. I will say that I think the odds are against her.

Edited for minor cosmedic surgery after DR's post.

Here is another factor to consider that many people not of privilege routinely get considered - her upbringing. Her parents have really created this mess of a person. They've given her everything she wants while she's never been responsible for anything. This is not to say this makes what's she's done ok, because it's not. But people piling on her seem to want to send her to jail because she had crappy parents. The vitriol from people pouncing on Paris Hilton is astounding. The same people who denounce reality TV are part of the problem - they love to see people fall for [insert any reason that you like and feel is justified here].

Can someone find any data on how many people a year get the same treatment as she received from the sheriff? Meaning, is her early release consistent with other cases somewhat like hers? Or because she's a spoiled rich person, that doesn't matter and should be punished for having lousy parents?

Almost all of us could never comprehend the life of people like her. But we judge her as compared to us. Who made her what she is? Paris Hilton, her parents, or the people and media surrounding her?

Again, I'm not deflecting responsibility. But I want consistency in all walks of life.

True. That's also the case with nearly everyone behind bars.



I looked for this data and unfortunately couldn't find anything recent, the closest thing I could find was this.

Well, Paris never received day one in jail for her first offense, nor did anyone hold her accountable for not taking her mandatory education course....until she was caught AGAIN, driving drunk and on a suspended license.



Agreed, To be entirely consistent, Paris should spend her jail time with the population at large and not in a "special needs housing unit". Just like the rest of us.

Mrs. P., I am going to dispute the facts in this case a little. Driving 70 mph at night without headlights is at best asinine, but Hilton has not been charged with a 2nd DUI.



http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3258489&page=1



I’ve visited jails, but never been in one, so I really don’t have any experience to warrant agreeing or disagreeing with this. Having taught in special needs programs in the public schools for 25 years, I can at least imagine special needs units in jails.

I have another observation. This is not addressed to Mrs. P., or anyone in particular. Although I’ve disowned most of it as nonsense, I have lived all my life in what H. L Mencken called the”buckle on the Bible Belt.” For years I’ve heard this load of utter crap about “hating the sin, but loving the sinner.” In this case, people are hating both the "sin” and the “sinner,” but mostly the sinner. I don’t think this is at all psychololgically healthy.

Interesting. I was under the impression that this was a second DUI. I stand corrected.





Special needs, in her case, is not the same as special needs in your school. Not even close. Just arguing in agreement that her treatment should be exactly as anyone else in this situation. Neither better nor worse.

Edited to add:

THere is a reason for my confusion. Apparently Paris was arrested in September as well, but according to the above it was November.

Nice.

I don't necessarily disagree with this Mrs. P, but we don't know (the judge apparently doesn't even know) the nature of her medical problems. I taught mostly mentally retarded and physically handicapped students. I have had kids have psychotic episodes in my classroom. I see Hilton's outburst in court as possibly a psychotic episoded rather than a "tantrum" as it has been described here. Yet we need to be careful, very careful in diagnosing conditions as even a doctor, Bill Frist, learned the hard way. At this point I'm content to let the judge review the records and make an informed decision. I have no idea what it will be.

I would not put a mentally retarded person in general population, nor would I put someone with severe emotional problems in such circumstances.

It appears the judge is going to review the medical records next week. After review, maybe he can decide on appropriate placement. One size does not fit all.

People of "tolerance" have no tolerance for rich people that flaunt the law, conduct themselves with a grandly exagerrated sense of entiltlement and act as being arrogant, air-headed and self-absorbed is a charming virtue.

The fact that Paris Hilton is a famous White rich girl has nothing to do with my joy at her receiving her just desserts. Many famous White rich girls conduct themselves with a sense of dignity and class, two traits Paris lacks.

And even "famous White rich girls" who dance like they're paralyzed from the waist down and babble like they're stoned out of their gourd, like to drop the "N-word" as the club-footed Ms. Hilton does at the 2:47 mark of the first video and again at the 3:16 mark of the second video. link

I can't say with any certainty if this talentless little airhead is a racist or not. Maybe she's just being her usual drunk and stupid self. But she sounded as if this wasn't the first time she had ever dropped a N-bomb.




Here's your chance to be consistent and condemn racism when a famous White rich girl engages in it.

NT the footage you provided indeed presents a nasty image of Hilton. There is no mistaking her intent or passing it off as out of context. There is no artistic quality, socially redeeming value or clever writing as in John Lennon's song well-known song about the woman and the N-word. For those too young to remember the song, I'm posting the lyrics below.

John Lennon Lyrics

In my opinion, the Hilton footage is far more obscene than anything Larry Flynt ever published. What can I say? It's just butt-ugly.

Thanks for digging that up.

I am so sick of this. Here is a rich brat crying to her mommy.
Well ya know Paris you play you pay!
I have heard on this thread well she didn't hurt anyone.
The thing is what if she was driving and killed someone while under the influence... and it could of happened. She has a DUI.I dont' get the thing where a Sheiff can override a Judge's sentence.
I have heard this might be too hard of a sentence? Horse hockey.
Maybe this will wake up people in the "Lime Life" you don't get any special treatment.
You are guilty and go to jail period.

Well as long as we’re talking about “equal” justice, I might point out that justice is rarely equal.

In November, 2003 Pop/Country singer Glenn Campbell got arrested for a DUI in of all places, Phoenix, Arizona.



http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/20...-campbell_x.htm

Let’s see for…

1. A DUI,
2. Hitting another car,
3. Leaving the scene of an accident,
4. Resisting arrest,
5. Assaulting a Police Officer (An aggravated felony in Texas)
6. And it you take The smoking Gun really seriously, not combing his hair before the mug shot.

In early July, 2004 Campbell went to jail. How many years did he get?

Surprise, surprise…



http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0702042glen1.html

OMG, Campbell got 10 days, and even if he served the time in Joe Arpaio’s “Tent City,” it still seems like a bargain. After a week plus change,

Campbell was back on the road, glad to get out of Phoenix and go and sing, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” in some distant city. You know what though, I’d much rather hear Isaac Hayes’s long version with the groovy organ work.

I apologize, but I just couldn’t resist this one. Some of you have been telling me how “Ol’ Jackboot Joe” sinks his incisors into crime in Maricopa County. I realize Arpaio didn’t sentence Campbell, and I’m not sure what facility he did his ten days in, but this says a lot.

Edited to finish the post. I almost dozed off while writing it early this morning.

So, back to Hilton. In light of Campbell's "unbearably harsh," sentence what would be fair? Hey, I’ve got it - the perfect solution, if you will. How about a year’s community service in – Mel Ignatow’s Prison Ministries. Now that would really have a draconian flair.

The sherrif was dead wrong. She should serve every day of he sentance.

The legal drama has apparently reached its end. Whether upon advice of counsel or whatever, Hilton has dropped her appeal.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/17/p...n.ap/index.html

In a way, I sort of regret that. It might have been interesting to see how a higher court would have untangled the mess in Los Angeles County. Now we'll never know.

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?

I think it was the right decision to sentence her for violating her parole and flouting the court’s ruling. I think it was right that she spend some jail time. BUT. I think the judge went over the top to make a point when he rearrested her and sent her back to jail.

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?

I hate to defend the spoiled little brat, but supposedly she takes a psychotropic drug that was not available at the Lynwood facility. That may have precipitated Baca’s order to release her. And from what I understand, the sheriff’s department does have the authority to release prisoners for cause. His mistake was in ordering the ankle bracelet and house arrest. That he can’t do.

And unfortunately, what began as a “finally the rich get treated like the rest of us” has now devolved into a judge’s bending over backwards to treat the rich unfairly (in the other direction).

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?

A couple of weeks ago, I’d have said yes, no doubt. Now, with all the posturing by the judge and the sheriff’s department, I’m beginning to think the judge is going out of his way to make an example out of this little rich airhead. It has become more a vendetta than a sentence. People in Los Angeles County jails do not generally serve their entire sentence, especially the non-violent offenders. So, in this bizarre case, Paris Hilton is actually being treated differently than other regular citizens, as well as other celebrities. And I’m starting to think this may clear the way for a nasty lawsuit against the judge and the city by the Hiltons…which will further waste taxpayers’ (i.e. my) money. It costs more to house Ms. Hilton in the psychiatric ward in jail than it would to stay in one of her family’s hotel suites…the difference being, WE THE PEOPLE are paying for this stay.

Who knew that a thread about Paris Hilton would actually have a seriously debatable issue!

DaffGrl - I must admit that I put this here as a joke. I couldn't care less about Paris Hilton.

I must rise to the defense of DR. Ohio ain't California. In Ohio they have one of the Supreme Court Justices that recently pled guilty to DUI. When I left they had arrested a man near Youngstown for his 20th DUI, there was no outrage at judges letting people go with a slap on the wrist. They have a special license plate for DUI drivers yellow and red numbers, very ugly and referred to as 'Party Plates'. There is usually little to no jail time involved and multiple convictions are very common. Kind of like California 20 years ago.

Paris Hilton recieved a much lighter sentence for her DUI than common, since jail time is required on a first offense, counseling is required. She would have been jailed on the first driving without a license if she was not rich the sentenced would have been doubled since she had not gotten the required treatment. And now finally yes the judge is grandstanding and given her a stronger punishment than others. But in fact she has been skating the law and been given special treatment in the 2 prior offenses.

I must say that I slap my thighs in agony over her treatment.

Well, Alaska has a mandatory three days in jail sentence, with 0 exceptions, and you lose your car, considered one of the toughest in the nation. Third DUI is a felony, mandatory minimum 3 months in jail- 5 dui's- and you go to jail, mandatory minimum, over a year, you lose your license for life, get caught even driving after that- minimum 5 years in jail.

A prosecutor got his first DUI- he lost his job, was disbarred and had to leave state.

I think Paris got off incredibly light.

The jail my not have had her "designer" psychotropic med, but they have the generic- all jails do. Hit her with 2mg of Ativan, 5 of Haldol- call it square- she would be fine. If she were not rich- would be exactly what would have happened.

IT is what we do with rich brats here too.

Nor I, but it's impossible (even though I don't even watch network news) to avoid hearing about the case. Everything I hear leads me to believe that this worthless little twit is going to end up costing this city and its taxpayers a boatload.

Now the Sheriff's Department is being investigated.

And some disgruntled LA County worker is trying to launch a recall campaign against Baca.

And unlike Paris Hilton, that's substantive.


Well, this is LaLa Land, after all.

Hmm.. even here in Denmark its impossible not to hear about this case every single day, unless of course you don't listen to radio or don't watch tv. I don't watch tv, but sadly I have to listen to radio or otherwise the drive to work would be incredibly boring, so I mights as well chime in with my opinion, since I have nothing better to do.

Judge Michael T. Sauer - right decision, wrong?
Depends. Have other inmates received similar early releases, and that is accepted practice, then no. Otherwise, sure.

Sheriff Baca - right or wrong?
Depends. See above.

Ms. Hilton - belongs behind bars or not?
Possibly, although her "crimes" seem negligible to me. As a person she strikes me as annoying and superficial, but not as a hardened criminal. I think extreme fines, defined as a percentage of the persons annual income, will hit persons like Paris Hilton harder than jail time in circumstances like this, because fines don't you get as much media coverage, and its a good deal for the local community. Alternatively force the person into an alcohol counseling program or something.

What interests me most about this case is the fact that Paris Hilton seems to be almost universally hated for various reasons I really can't begin to comprehend, and that seems to color quite a lot of peoples opinions about the justness of her incarceration. Like I said before, I find her annoying and superficial, but millions of other people far more worthy of our hate than this woman. The people that actively hate or just loathe Paris Hilton is in my opinion just as much as part of the media frenzy surrounding her, as her fans are, and are thus helping her become even more famous. Its a repeating cycle, one of which I am sure Paris Hilton is happy about, since she earns tons of cash because of it, but I don't see why I should result in her getting a harsher sentence than other people that have done similar crimes (if that is indeed the case, but to me it seems to have contributed).

Not that I really care about Paris Hilton, I just find it worrisome if public opinion of her has a role in the prosecutors/judges decisions in any way shape or form.
I just read about some parents in Virginia, who was sentenced to two years of jail for buying beer for their 16 year old son. Them I can truly feel unrelenting sympathy for.

You must have a hammer Carlsen. You hit the nail on the head. Foreign perspective from Alexis deTocqueville to the present is often refreshing.

In his Inaugural address John F. Kennedy said…



http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html

The torch of the person “we love to hate” has passed from Leona Helmsley to Paris Hilton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leona_Helmsley

Even if loreing59 started this thread as a joke, it has importance far beyond Paris Hilton. The jurisdictional thing among law enforcement, district attorneys and courts is something that probably exists in a great many places. This was certainly evident in the 1990 Boulder, Colorado case of JonBenet Ramsey. Seemingly, the police were certain the parents had killed the child, but the district attorney’s office had doubts or didn’t think they could win the case.

A few posts back I quoted Joe Arpaio from watching him on MSNBC.

I apologize for the link to Nancy Grace, but it confirms my quoting (from memory) Arpaio remarks I saw on MSNBC, and makes me all the more certain that jurisdictional disputes about inmates are common.



http://www.google.com/search?q=Joe+Arpaio+...amp;rlz=1I7RNWO

Note: I haven't changed my mind about Arpaio, but he has focused the debate on jurisdictional conflicts within the criminal justice system. Further, I'm not saying he' right or wrong on this point.

I'm surprised the issue landed in my own backyard so quickly.



http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news/story/135315.html

The mummified District Attorney we have in Tarrant County, Texas, hasn’t done a damn thing worth mentioning since he lost big time to Richard “Racehorse Haynes” in the Cullen Davis trials. That was Fort Worth’s version of O. J. Simpson.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murd...en_davis/6.html

Unlike Los Angeles where the squabble involved the judge vs. the sheriff, this one is the DA vs. the Sheriff.

I have a friend who works for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s office. I asked him in a phone conversation this morning, if the Tarrant County DA’s office was playing off the publicity surrounding Hilton and he said “probably.”

The question in all this is where is the biggest circus – California or Texas.