How dare they?
There’s no justice!
What is wrong with California officials?
OK.
If you are in that phase of response to the news that Lindsay Lohan has followed her usual pattern — gets in trouble, goes in front of a judge, gets a jail sentence and then is just turned out on the street — it’s no wonder.
It does appear that the young celebrity gets very special treatment.
Out here in the hinter-land, of course, we know little about how to deal with celebrities, with the object of our cultural worship, but you’d think that felony theft would get you more.
However, to be fair, the judge had dropped the charges from felony grand theft to a misdemeanor, even though the object she is alleged to have walked off with was a necklace valued at $2,500.
Still, this was the fourth time in about a year that he was in front of a judge, again, and this time she was sentenced to 120 days.
That’s enough to get even a celebrity’s attention.
Right?
Wrong.
Because, according to the Associated Press, “Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner said she thought the actress had intentionally taken the $2,500 necklace from an upscale Venice store and shown poor judgment in not trying to return it until police became involved.
“The judge reduced the actress’ charge from felony grand theft to a misdemeanor and imposed the 120-day sentence.
“Lohan’s attorney filed a notice of appeal right before court closed, clearing the way for the actress’ release on bail.
“She was freed ... after posting $75,000 bail, according to the sheriff department’s website.”
Although Sautner said she could “see a level of brazenness with, ‘Let me see what I can get away with here,’” the judge still dropped the intensity of the charge.
Once the judge had done that, who could argue with the rest of the results?
It was a misdemeanor because Sautner decided “I’m going to give her an opportunity.”
You see, according to the judge, a $2,500 necklace just isn’t that big a deal.
Fine, fine.
And once the charges were reduced — again — you can’t blame the rest of the officials for kicking Lohan loose because the taxpayers in California are already spending enough to keep “real criminals” behind bars.
So, once again, our culture makes it clear that our entertainment and worship of celebrities is far more important than the law.
By the way, good luck trying to have the same “justice” if you’re an 18-year-old working-class citizen with a moving violation in California.
No wonder it’s a “criminal justice” system.
— Chuck Smith