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Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
Everyone doesn’t hate you Paris. Some people understand. These people are not your fans, they are people who have observed and wondered if anything in life would help you grow-up. Popularity is not a measure of the type of person you are, it is only something to capitalize on while it lasts, and hopefully you’ll know when it’s over, before being over lets you know.
What is startling to me is the mass reaction to the non-incarceration to incarceration changes. The underlying desire for vengeance, to ridicule, to harm you is just a perverse reaction to your money and lifestyle. After all, these are the same people who are willing to stand by and do nothing about the killing of Iraqi children, for which there is no justification, legal, moral or otherwise.
Don’t let petty desires, the need to see others punished, and phony self-righteousness put you in a corner of self-loathing, your critics have done enough of their own human failings, which should have brought a little more sympathy. Realize that your critics are like the mobs running through the streets with torches to burn down the house of the witch. Know that these are the people who would delight in public executions. Finally realize that these people accept the torture of unarmed restrained human beings as a pragmatic matter, not the sick and twisted thing that it is.
I don’t know what is happening to our nation, but I do know that influential and powerful people are driving this train wreck over a cliff in their attempt to cover their own backsides, while hoarding resources at any and all opportunities. Understand that these people have a much greater impact on the negative direction our nation is heading than you could ever have.
A lack of compassion and forgiveness is not the result of intellect; it is the inability to walk a mile in another person’s shoes. There is no talent in the mob’s criticisms, because it does not stop to look in the mirror at its fallibilities and vulnerabilities, but appears to be more than willing to lower itself to the roles of judge and executioner.
You’ll be alright honey. Whatever you do, don’t let them get you down.
This story wasn't a story until all of this happened. This story is not about Paris Hilton. This story is about our (that's you and me) obsession with and revulsion for celebrity - rich, talented, odd, or revolting. This story is also about the state of California's detention facilities, which you didn't even mention. Paris is a grotesque caricature, but unless we (especially journalists and editors) can react fairly and compassionately we are no different and maybe worse.
Please write a story about what would have happened to a normal woman in Paris' circumstance. Please write a story about California detention facilities. In other words, do some journalism. We won't be free from Paris until you (the media) do those things - co-opt her celebrity and inform the public.
Its been a few years since I was a criminal defense attorney in (Northern) California, but here's my take. Her setence was, for the most part normal.
1st she gets arrested for DUI. She blows an 0.08, a very "lowest level for DUI. The breath testing equipment has a margin of error and it was unlikely that the state could actually convict her. So it was probably pretty easy for her 1st lawyer (who I heard does not normally do DUI work) to get the prosecutor to reduce it to a charge of reckless driving in exchange for a plea of "guilty" or "no contest". Paris was spared the spectacle of a trial and the State was spared a trial it would probably lose. The judge, who probably does thousands of the exact same types of cases a year gave her the exact same "standard" sentence that he would give to anyone who pled a DUI to a the reduced charge of "wet reckless". Probation, fines, a suspension of her license, and an order that she go to alcohol classes.
She, like many other defendants each week, blew off her classes and drove on the suspended license in blatant disregard for the court's authority. 1st time, in my experience, usually nets a defedant an increased fine, a stern scolding, and a real threat of jail, or maybe even a weekend or two in jail, especially iif the classes aren't done. Paris did not get jail - she probably got the scolding.
Shortly thereafter, however, Paris (again like many other defendants day in and day out) blew it off and drove on her suspended license. 45 days in jail for a second such a probation violation is about normal. There was a note on her file about doubling it to 90 days if she didn't show up in court, so the judge obviously already had concerns about her capacity to just blow off the system. Most judges are concerned about treating people equally and most, therefore, have a fairly programmed and predictable response to common crimes like this. Paris would typically be discussed something like this: "young, no priors, duece dropped to a wet reckless - second VOP for driving suspended - blew off the classes". Hearing that, whether the name be Paris or Jamal - the court probably thought about milisecond and said "OK the usual 45" days.
Paris's mistake was taking the plea. Most self respecting defense lawyers won't plead out an 0.08. They will go to trial and win. She and her lawyer are, i n part, paying for taking the easy way out back at the beginning of this.
The thing about the sheriff letting her out of jail is where it gets wierd. That does not normally happen. It seems really unlikely that someone who made it as far up in the ranks as sheriff would be amatuer enough to just take a bribe. Maybe the jail staff just wouldn't stop complaining about the cries and sick moose noises coming out of her cell and asked to get her out.
After her 1st sentencing hearing, Paris got a new lawyer - one who regularly works in the criminal courts. My guess is that he's respected and trusted by many in the system and he was able to carry some sway with the sheriff and arrange her early "medical" release. My guess is that her release was more due to personal relationships and trust between the sheriff and her new lawyer that it was due to a bribe or "overt" corruption. Whatever happened with the sheriff, sending her right back in to do the 45 is what I'd expect from most California judges upon hearing about it.
Vegreef
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