The L.A. judge best known for throwing the book at Paris Hilton is finally giving his closing arguments, and not a moment too soon for one sublebrity DUI-er.
Just last week, Angie Everhart got a continuance in her DUI case, and by her new court date, Judge Michael Sauer probably will have traded his judicial robe for a bathrobe after 36 years on the job. He planned on serving for 45 years, but got out for good behavior -- i.e., throwing Paris in the slammer.
And Judge Sauer, Angie has something to say to you: You may step down now -- pleeeeze.
5/20/2008 9:15 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Paris' Judge Reaches Verdict: Sayonara Suckers
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Reader Comments
(Page 1 of 1)1.
To John #35...
Judges do have discretion -- this is certainly true. And the fact that some judges are tougher than others is true throughout the US -- not just with Sauer. There are legal experts that have commented that Hilton should have received more jail time in view of her summary actions. And it doesn't stop there; more people should receive tougher sentences -- especially in certain jurisdictions in LA. The slap on the wrist some of these offenders receive is abominable. Don't berate Sauer because he was indeed "doing his job." I lost my Goddaughter to a reckless driver who was cold, stone sober, and I can tell you that tougher sentences are needed everywhere -- not just for DUI or reckless driving due to alcohol, but reckless driving, period. It endangers the lives of people everywhere. Kudos to Sauer!
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2.
The judge was very fair in the Paris Hilton case, and was known for fairness. But the Hilton spin machine came online immediately, trying to drag him in the dirt for just treating Paris as he would anyone else, well within the sentencing guidelines of the law. Her second chance was probation when originally arrested for a DUI, and she blew it by being a repeat scofflaw. Violating probation gets you the jail term you originally escaped.
Drunk driving kills. About 40% of traffic-related deaths in this country (typically more than 15,000 dead Americans per year, plus another half a million per year injured) involve a drunk driver. The social and financial costs are huge.
We are Number One in the world in such matters. We don't have more drunks per capita, just more drunks driving cars. Drunks elsewhere in mass transit-oriented countries are more likely to take a bus or train... or stumble their way home as wobbly pedestrians. Americans drive to get the drinks and then drive drunk to get back home, often over long distances (more time on the road = more chances of an accident). Statistics were even worse before states began to crack down hard on drunk drivers.
Don't waste your sympathy on drunks with car keys. They typically drive drunk many many times before they get their first DUI (and a plea downgrade to "wet reckless" is still considered a DUI, it just simplifies things), and it's important to scare them into changing that habit before they get killed and/or kill or cripple others. We're not talking about having some weed in your pocket or piling up unpaid parking tickets (the latter was the scofflaw wife of the prosecutor's problem), but serious stuff that affects the safety of other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians of all ages. Drunk driving is not a nonviolent crime - it's as violent as waving a loaded gun around in a crowd.
Don't lie to a judge, don't come late to court, don't let your family disrespect the judge. If you decide to drive while your license is suspended, then don't attract the attention of the cops by speeding and driving recklessly and driving without license plates on your new car -- especially while on probation. Can't be any simpler. No need for a lawyer to tell you that. But Paris, even with all her lawyers, broke all those simple rules repeatedly.
The judge could have given her a much longer sentence, but he restrained himself. Many people in the same situation have spent much more time in jail at much more personal cost. He could have cited her mother for contempt of court for her outbursts, but didn't. He could have cited Paris for contempt of court and perjury, but didn't. She got off easy. And she got off alive. Her pareants should have thanked the judge, not spat at him every chance they get, unless they like the idea of attending their child's funeral.
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