August 25, 2007
Celebrity justice
What is it with the criminal justice system and celebrities? Americans traditionally have delighted in the troubles of the rich and famous, a rejection of the respect (or toadying) often given to 18th century European royalty. The former colonists -- now Americans -- established a society that strove to be meritocratic, and no part of America was (supposedly) better at ignoring one's social status than the justice system.
Yeah, right.
Although some defense attorneys may be skeptical, I've never seen my office file more serious charges against a poor black or latino defendant than we would against a rich, white one, and I have heard many DAs complain about a judge who would give an unconscionably light sentence to an upper-middle class defendant, something he'd be loathe to do for a poor latino fieldworker.
It's even worse when you throw in an (supposedly) attractive celebrity.
A few months back Paris Hilton's early release unleashed a torrent of criticism on L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca. This past week came word that Nicole Ritchie spent 82 minutes in custody, satisfying a four-day jail sentence for DUI.
It wasn't the first time for the anorexic, no-talent daughter of pop-star singer Lionel Ritchie, but it was the most egregious offense. She was driving the wrong way -- against traffic -- on the Burbank Freeway. When the police arrived, she was parked, jabbering on the cell phone. Ritchie admitted being high on Vicodin and smoking pot before driving. That she avoided killing anyone is only a result of pure luck -- and the quick reflexes of the other drivers who managed to avoid a head-on collision.
The spoiled, do-nothing, know-nothing celebrity had previously been convicted of DUI, when she had a blood alcohol level of .15 percent; and was later cited for driving on a suspended license and possessing heroin.
The wrong-way freeway conviction netted her the laughable four-day sentence, but even luckier for her, she was being handed over to the celebrity-crazed L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
What Would Tyler Durden Do?, a blog about Hollywood and celebrities, commented on the incident (and Lindsay Lohan's recent plea bargain) in the post, The Chupacabra served 82 minutes in jail.
It's kind of inspiring to see the LA county sheriffs department and district attorney say "f**k you" so blatantly. They have to know everyone is watching these cases to see if they're going to give celebrities preferential treatment, and yet they do it anyway. They don't give a f**k what anyone thinks, they're determined to not enforce the laws they are entrusted to enforce.
I'm surprised they even made Nicole come down to the jail cell. They should get a portable cell that comes to the celebrities from now on. Maybe one of those inflatable things you jump around in. That's sort of shaped like a cell. Ooo, be sure to get one with a slide. And maybe one of those funnel cake carts too. And a wack-a-mole. People love wack-a-mole. But it's still jail, so therefore you're sentenced to feel only "glee". No "delight", or you're in big trouble.
What he said.
Posted by Mike Lief at August 25, 2007 08:51 AM
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