Celebrities, Crime, DUI / DWI, Fabulosity, Paris Hilton, Politics, Prisons, You Go Girl

Paris Hilton: She Begs Your Pardon

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Or Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s, actually. From the Los Angeles Times:

Don’t get that jail cell ready for Paris Hilton just yet. Hilton’s defense team has launched a last-ditch effort to keep her out of jail after a Los Angeles traffic court judge made international headlines by sentencing the socialite to 45 days in county jail for repeatedly driving while her license was suspended.

Her attorneys have filed a notice of appeal at the courthouse. Though the document does not lay out the grounds for the appeal, her attorney, Howard L. Weitzman, has said the sentence was far too harsh given Hilton’s misdeeds.

We used to specialize in criminal appeals. But you need neither experience nor expertise to conclude that this argument is a legal loser. Here’s a good quip from a prof at Loyola Law:

“I don’t think the Founding Fathers had Paris Hilton’s driving conviction in mind when they enacted the cruel and unusual punishment provision of the Constitution,” said Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson.

But don’t count Paris out just yet. More discussion, after the jump.


The hotel heiress has another legal trick up her sleeve:

Her camp is also turning to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, circulating a petition seeking a pardon for Hilton, who must report to the Century Women’s Correctional Facility in Lynwood by June 5th….

Hilton backers are circulating a petition on the Internet urging Schwarzenegger to pardon her. The petition notes that other celebrities have had much worse driving mishaps and avoided jail time.

“Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure or kill anyone or anything, and yet she must do jail time,” the petition reads.

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“Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure or kill anyone or anything.” That’s debatable. Have you seen any of her music videos?
Actually, we like and admire Paris Hilton — despite, or perhaps because of, her lack of talent. As we previously wrote:

Some people deride Paris Hilton as being “famous for nothing” or “famous for being famous.” We disagree; but if this were true, it would only make Paris more fantastic. It would make the purest incarnation of fame possible: fame undiluted by the distracting presence of accomplishment.

So we think Paris Hilton is fabulous. We agree with Professor Ann Althouse, who observes that Paris is “being treated worse because of her celebrity.”
We encourage you all to sign the online petition in support of Paris Whitney Hilton, which you can access by clicking here. Thanks!
P.S. How can Gov. Schwarzenegger resist this heartfelt plea?

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to save our Paris from ending up at the Century Regional Detention Facility! Please sign to tell The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the State of California, to think about the welfare of this young woman who has made a mortal error and deserves a second chance like so many others in our great nation have been served with after a mistake they have made.

If the late Former President Gerald Ford could find it in his heart to pardon the late Former President Richard Nixon after his mistake(s), we undeniably support Paris Hilton being pardoned for her honest mistake as well, and we hope and expect The Governor will understand and grant this unusual but important request in good faith to Ms. Paris Whitney Hilton.

Hilton launches appeal, turns to Schwarzenegger for pardon [Los Angeles Times]
Free Paris Hilton Petition [iPetitions.com]
Was that equal justice for Paris Hilton? [Althouse]

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