Making examples of celebrities

Some of the most recent shocking celebrity scandal news is that Paris Hilton has been ordered to serve 45 days in the Century Regional Detention Center for violating her probation. The judge said that she must serve the entire sentence, and she would not be allowed a work release, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of prison.

Her defense attorney Howard Weitzman immediately said he would appeal. “I’m shocked, I’m surprised and really disheartened in the system that I’ve worked in for close to 40 years,” Weitzman said, adding that the sentence was “uncalled for, inappropriate and bordered on the ludicrous. I think she’s singled out because of who she is.”Her mother, Kathy Hilton was quoted as saying “This is pathetic and disgusting, a waste of taxpayer money with this nonsense. It’s a joke.”

This video from TMZ shows Paris’ response to the ruling. She told cameras outside of her house, “I told the truth yesterday. I feel that I was treated unfairly. It’s both cruel and unwarranted.”

Is the judge using Paris Hilton as an example because of her celebrity status, or would anyone have received the same ruling?

~ by ajaramillo on May 8, 2007.