Too Bad She Didn’t Call Her Chauffeur: Paris Hilton Behind Bars
The Facts: When Paris decided to drive on a suspended license, she found herself facing forty five days in the slammer. Miss Hilton’s problems behind the wheel started in 2006, when she was arrested for DUI. Because she chose to drink and drive, Paris had her license suspended for three months, paid a fine of $1,500, was sentenced to three years probation, and was required to attend an alcohol education class.
But it got worse. Early the next year, Paris was caught driving twice, even though her license was suspended. One of those times, she was recklessly driving her new Bentley at 70 mph in a 35 mph zone, and she wasn’t using her headlights. Because driving with a suspended license violated her probation, and because she didn’t go to her alcohol education class, Paris found herself in front of a judge again. The judge sentenced her to forty-five days in prison.
Claiming a mental health condition, Paris got herself reassigned to home detention after serving just 3 days in prison. In the words of E! Online blogger Josh Grossberg, "news of Hilton's home confinement sparked outrage". With the public questioning why celebrities are not held to the same standards as other citizens, the judge called Paris back to court and sent her back to jail to finish her sentence.
The Law: Paris Hilton’s lawyers had to deal with laws involving probation, DUI, and reckless driving.
First, when a person violates the terms of their probation, they can be sent to jail. That’s exactly what happened to Paris when she refused to stop driving.
Second, in California, a person commits DUI when their blood alcohol content is .08% or higher. If Paris weighs 120 pounds, and was out drinking for two hours, it would take between four and five beers for her to reach .08%. For first-timers, this crime carries a punishment of up to six months in jail, a six-month license suspension, mandatory attendance in alcohol education classes, and fines which can sometimes exceed $1,500. Because Paris admitted to the DUI charges, she originally wasn’t sent to prison.
Finally, reckless driving is a crime that can carry 5-90 days of jail time and a fine of up to $1,000.
The Takeaway: First, don’t drink and drive! The punishment for drinking and driving alone is pretty severe. Second, if your license ever is suspended, don’t continue to drive! The punishment for continuing to drive on a suspended license can be worse than the punishment for the original crime, and can even include serious jail time. Just ask Paris.
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