One word about the Paris Hilton case: Pfui.
She’s a spoiled brat. She’s grown up in an environment where she’s learned she can either buy or charm her way into whatever she wants, or out of whatever she doesn’t want. She’s finally run up against something she can’t manipulate her way through, and it’s a shock to her system.
I hope she draws a lesson from all this.
More interesting is the fight between the Judge Michael Sauer and the Sheriff’s department.
The judge is obviously irritated by Hilton’s behavior, and she’s made some really boneheaded moves. I suspect he wanted to throw the book at her, and that’s why his orders specifically include instructions that forbid house arrest, work furlough, or anything else that would have her anywhere outside of jail until her term is up.
The problem is, the judge doesn’t seem to have jurisdiciton over this sort of thing. Prisoner treatment is largely the responsibility of the sheriff. I think that also includes decisions about where prisoners will be housed.
And in addition, I’m told that in cases like Hilton’s, it’s fairly typical for a prisoner to be released after serving 10% of the sentence. The prisons are that overcrowded. I think the Sheriff may have screwed up by putting Hilton on house arrest for health reasons. I suspect that had Hilton been treated just like any other prisoner, she’d be out now.
But Judge Sauer wants Hilton punished, and so he’s going to attempt to dictate terms where he doesn’t have jurisdiction. He and the Sheriff are in a battle, and Hilton has the bad luck to be in the middle of it. She’s not just being punished for her probation violation, or for her contempt of court, but also because the Judge is irritated with the Sheriff.
The Sheriff’s department released her into house arrest. Sure, maybe Hilton’s temper tantrum had something to do with it, but the Sheriff’s the one who made the call. What was she supposed to do? Chain herself to her cell? (And the Sheriff was in a pretty nasty position. The last thing he needs is for a high-profile prisoner to die while in his custody.)
On friday morning, appearing by phone was not sufficient for Judge Sauer. He ordered deputy sheriffs to pick her up and bring her to court. She finally shows up at eleven-thirty.
So is this her fault? No, it’s the fault of those deputies, but the Judge is probably taking it out on her. Her sentence has been bumped back up to 45 days.
But the fight between the Judge and the Sheriff goes on. The Sheriff has been ordered to show cause why he shouldn’t be held in comtempt of court, and I suspect the defense will involve pointing out that the Judge is overstepping his bounds.
Maybe the loser will be put in the cell next to Paris Hilton.
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mruffolo said,
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A29581
June 10, 2007 at 4:54 am
mruffolo said,
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/cpgendtab.htm
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm
June 10, 2007 at 5:03 am
Stoney said,
Point is, she should have the same sentence as every other person who violated parole, she should serve the same amount of time, and she should serve it in the same place. The end begins when some pigs are more equal than others.
June 10, 2007 at 5:35 am
Backbone said,
The sheriff is merely trying to get the support of a powerful/influential family by giving special treatment to a rich person. Like most politicians, he will break any rule to benefit himself.
The public has a notoriously short attention span and memory (as evidenced by either Clintons’ face being on tv all the time). Unless something happens near an election, most politicians just do whatever they want and ignore any questions about it afterwards.
Paris is not a “victim.” She is a victimizer and has repeatedly broken the rules of her probation. She agreed to those rules to stay out of prison. Whatever happens after she breaks those rules is her problem. Stop making it mine. Also, try checking out the stats on how many people die in traffic accidents involving drunk drivers.
Stoney–take a look around. Just try getting near the trough sometime and see how “equal” we all are……
June 10, 2007 at 6:54 pm
amfortas said,
June 10, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Stoney said,
June 11, 2007 at 3:37 am
scottkirk said,
Does anyone here know of an organization I can donate a few bucks to that is fighting the (protect me more than men) seduction of the state by the femi’s.
June 11, 2007 at 5:12 am
scottkirk said,
June 11, 2007 at 5:16 am