Francis -- Free from Florida!

Posted Mar 12th 2008 1:03PM by TMZ Staff

Joe Francis has just finished a court appearance in Panama City, Florida, and he's a free man, after agreeing to a plea deal that will keep him out of jail -- and sources tell TMZ that Joe will be back in L.A. as early as tonight.

TMZ has learned that Francis has plead no contest to the charges of filming underage girls, and has been sentenced to time served. What's more, "Girls Gone Wild" can't film in the area for three years. Bay County, we're told, will return Joe's brand new Ferrari, and $60,000 that they confiscated from him last year.

Joe tells TMZ, "I am happy to be done with Bay County." He's been battling these charges since 2003.

Story developing ...

Filed under: Celebrity Justice

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(Page 4 of 7)Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. For filming girls who lied about their ages and presented fake ID's, Joe has paid his debt to society. As for the tax issues, Joe is likely to pay even more.

To the person whose daughter made the choice of posing/performing in a GGW video; it haunts her only so long as you and your family throw it in her face. For all intents and purposes she remains anonymous as nobody will recognize her on the streets -- this isn't on billboards around the country. If you live in a small town and everyone knows about it and whispers behind her back, shame on them. If necessary, tell her to move....and start fresh.

To the young women who choose to pose in these videos: It's your body! Do with it what you will. Like getting tattoos or piercing, etc., sometimes we regret our choices....sometimes we don't. GIve these girls some credit. They can vote, obtain credit, have children, get married, join the military and die for their freedom -- they can flash their breasts in a video as well...

Good luck to Joe Francis. Hopefully he's learned some valuable lessons in jail and won't repeat his mistakes.

Posted at 2:08PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Why so Righteous?

47. I think Francis is the Shiz Nizzle...

Posted at 2:10PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Love me some Francis

48. Hey Frnacis.. Do you think I'm to FAT to be in your Guys Gone Wild dvd?

Posted at 2:11PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Chunko The Clown

49. Hey Francis.. Don't drink and drive.

Posted at 2:13PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Just Silly

50. Yay for Francis! He's certainly done the time for the crime! I think it was horrible he was held for so long when there are people in Hollywood that have done worse or the same and gotten little to no punishment. The inconsistancy in punishing people with money makes no sense and its just plain unfair!

Posted at 2:13PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Leslie

51. Back to Britney

Posted at 2:14PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Francis Who?

52. Can I borrow a cup of money? .. Thanks

Posted at 2:16PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Fan

53. Everyone hurry...there's a fresh American Idol post.

Posted at 2:28PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Area 51

54. The guy has been in the can for quite some time, longer then some of his celebufriends that have done much worse. Enough is enough, let's hope there has been some lesson learned, besides I am sure my tax dollars can go towards something more worthy???

Posted at 2:36PM on Mar 12th 2008 by babyluv

55. Glad he was in JAIL & glad he was VIOLATED too, although her probably enjoyed it!!!! This Joe Francis is a CREEP & I feel sorry for the foolish girls who made him rich...I hope the Feds slam him for evading taxes...KARMA IS A B*TCH!

Posted at 2:50PM on Mar 12th 2008 by You get what you deserve!

56.

Panama City taxpayers should be ashamed of Florida state attorney Steve Meadows, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, and anyone else who had a hand in this colossal waste of taxpayer money.

We are guaranteed a right to a speedy and fair trial by The U.S. Constitution, and these derelicts have engaged in a full year of anti-American activities on the public dime.

It will be interesting to see how many miles have been put on that Ferrari.

Richard Hunter

Posted at 2:52PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Richard Hunter

57. You people are all nuts! This guy is a millionaire from these stupid videos. He could care less about your poor, broke butt. Since he's rich now, it doesn't matter what happens to him in the future...he's RICH, pinheads!

Posted at 2:52PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Seymour

58. No....he's been screwed over enough!

Posted at 2:57PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Sharona

59. Lock up your daughters!

Posted at 2:59PM on Mar 12th 2008 by tazmania

60. THE man is always trying to keep some1 down . The girls gave him fake i.d.'S AND THE PARENTS AND THE GIRLS ARE AT FAULT ! HE DOESNT MAKE ANY1 DO ANYTHING,THEIR'S NO LIES AND TRICKS 2 DO SOME DUMB VIDEO , THEY SIGN A WAIVER AND HAVE 48 HOURS TO SAY EVEN AFTER TO BACK OUT . BITCHES GET THE FACTS B4 U DO SOMETHING . IT'S YOUR CHOICE !!! HAVE FUN PARTYING JOE, LIFE IS TOOOOO SHORT TO JUDGE .

Posted at 3:00PM on Mar 12th 2008 by good 4 him !

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