Paris' Judge Reaches Verdict: Sayonara Suckers

31. TMZ, stop using this site to carry out your personal petty vendettas.

You're just peeved because the judge made an accurate criticism of TMZ during that Hilton spectacle. That judge was the only participant in that grotesque spectacle who behaved with any kind of sense and decency.

Posted at 11:25AM on May 21st 2008 by Get over it TMZ

32. No matter what you think of Paris or this judge there is a Basic fact that stands out in all of this.

One prisoner was made to do all of her sentence while most if not all of the other prisoners were released after serving only 10% of theirs.

The great disparity of how one was treated versus the others is discrimination and is wrong. Everyone is entitled to equal treatment.

There is the real possibility that violent felons were released early in order to stay within the crowding guidelines so a non-violent misdemeanor prisoner could be kept in the jail.

The judiciary in California is flawed and should be put under federal supervision

Posted at 12:47PM on May 21st 2008 by Joe

33. Hey #31 Responsiablilty: If you Paris haters would at least tell the truth when you rant on TMZ you might look like more than a sick joke. Paris was never convicted of DUI, she was charged and then the charge was reduced to reckless driving with alcohol involvement. She was put in jail for violating her probation.

Michelle Rodriguez, multiple DUI convictions and falsifying her record of community service: 10% (18) days of her 180 day sentence. Paris Hilton, probation violation: 100% of her 23 days. Instead of your hate filth try talking about the concept of equality.

Posted at 2:12PM on May 21st 2008 by Fred

34. #31 -- Fred

Wrong. She was caught driving on a suspended license, twice. The second time, she was speeding way over the speed limit, at night, with her car lights turned off. Anther case of reckless driving. Her license was suspended as a result of the plea bargain her attorney negotiated for her, reducing the DUI to reckless driving due to alcohol. The second time she was caught, she had the notice she received from the officer that stopped her the first time in her glove compartment.

She was late showing up to court, lied to the judge...it goes on and on. She clearly felt that she was above the law, and the judge saw this, quite plainly. She deserved that sentence -- many thought she deserved more.

Posted at 6:28PM on May 21st 2008 by Gen

35. By the way, Fred, try learning the facts about both cases, including presding judges and attorneys involved. And stop twisting disrespect of Hilton into hatred. It's both ugly and disgusting.

Posted at 6:35PM on May 21st 2008 by Gen

36. The guys a flamer so he socked it to Paris cuz he's JEALOUS HE'S NOT A SHE!

Posted at 9:58PM on May 21st 2008 by FRUIT CAKE

37. Gen:

Wrong. She was caught driving on a suspended license, twice. The second time, she was speeding way over the speed limit, at night, with her car lights turned off. Anther case of reckless driving. Her license was suspended as a result of the plea bargain her attorney negotiated for her, reducing the DUI to reckless driving due to alcohol. The second time she was caught, she had the notice she received from the officer that stopped her the first time in her glove compartment.

She was late showing up to court, lied to the judge...it goes on and on. She clearly felt that she was above the law, and the judge saw this, quite plainly. She deserved that sentence -- many thought she deserved more.
----
But her family worked their butt off to get welthy. Shouldn't wealth give some credits. It does in my country (Denmark) where rich people have their name protected against the news during trial and where special judges are called in whenever young rich boy get a little too happy with young girls like in my hometown Naestved.

This difference in treatment regarding the law is what motivate people to be hard workers. Our crimerate is much lower. Fewer murders, robberies, thefts etc.

She should have got community service cleaning up in a park where all the papparazies could have watched her in a boilersuit for 45 days like they did with Bou George. It would have cost the tax-payer very little and the prisons could be used for real criminals.

Are driving without license a crime at all? Not if you have family inside the justice system!

Posted at 7:29AM on May 22nd 2008 by A. Burns

38. 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!

Posted at 5:35PM on May 22nd 2008 by Gen

39. 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.

Posted at 9:55PM on May 22nd 2008 by jwoolman

40. To Jwoolman

Well said, and well written! Kudos!!

Posted at 6:47AM on May 23rd 2008 by Gen