Paris Hilton Gets 45 Days In Jail

A California judge has today sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in jail for violating her probation, she was caught twice driving on a suspended license.

The judge's ruling put the brakes on the hotel heiress' famous high life and even prompted her mother to ask for him for his autograph.

Party girl Hilton, 26, must go to jail on June 5 and she will not be allowed any work release, leave of absences, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in place of jail, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer ruled after a hearing.

The judge said she broke the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"I'm very sorry and from now on I'm going to pay complete attention to everything," she told the judge before he announced the sentence. "I'm sorry and I did not do it on purpose at all."

She was then ordered to report to a women's jail in suburban Lynwood on the set date or face 90 days behind bars on June 5.

As a city prosecutor said during closing arguments that Hilton deserved jail time, Hilton's mother Kathy laughed. When the judge ruled, Kathy Hilton then blurted out: "May I have your autograph?"

Paris Hilton was among a series of witnesses who took the stand during the hearing. She maintained she was unaware her driving licence was suspended and thought she was allowed to drive for work purposes.

She said that when an officer who stopped her in January made her sign a document stating her licence was suspended, she thought he was mistaken and did not actually look at the document.

Hilton arrived at the court 10 minutes after the scheduled 1.30pm start time of the hearing.

Paris Hilton court arrival look as if it was a red carpet event, dozens of photographers and reporters lined up at the rear entrance. Yellow police tape substituted for velvet ropes.

Hilton pleaded no contest in January to reckless driving stemming from a September 7 arrest in Hollywood. Police said she appeared intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test. She had a blood-alcohol level of .08%, the level at which an adult driver is breaking the law.

She was sentenced to 36 months' probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines.

Two other traffic stops and failure to enrol in an alcohol education program are what landed the socialite back in court.

On January 15, Hilton was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol. Officers informed her that she was driving on a suspended licence and she signed a document acknowledging that she was not to drive, according to papers filed in Superior Court.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies stopped Hilton on February 27 and charged her with violating her probation. Police said she was pulled over at about 11pm after authorities saw the car speeding with its headlights off.

Hilton's spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said at the time Hilton was not aware her licence was suspended. A copy of the document Hilton signed on January 15 was found in the car's glove compartment, court papers say.

Hilton was also required to enrol in an alcohol education program by February 12. As of April 17, she had not enrolled, prosecutors said.

Hilton, who is appealing her sentence, has learned she will be housed away from the bulk of inmates at the jail for her protection.

Play Video
Paris Hilton Sentenced to Jail