Paris Hilton released!!! (Justice or Just us?) - Page 8 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #**106** 06-09-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

What I do not like is favoritism in the justice system. It is a fact of life that rich folks get a better deal in the courts -- yet another good reason to be rich, isn't it? I'd rather be rich and powerful than poor and a pawn.

But I don't really want to put forth the effort necessary to be rich -- I have achieved my comfort level. Now I am looking forward to somebody else buying a winning lottery ticket and giving it to me. Or discovering Lafitte's hidden treasure in my yard. Or a golden meteor hurtling down into my home--what a rush!

Yes that is a fact. However, what about other people and the corruptions? If we are buddies, won't I be more likely to give you a better deal than others? Yes, it is corruption but paid in a different coin.

Join the club.

Jim B. · #**107** 06-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

So Paris in an orange jumper doing weekend penance picking trash from the highways would serve justice in my mind, given the crime. Every weekend for say, 20 consecutive weekends. 8 hrs Saturday and Monday.

Good morning Ms Hilton. Here is your jumper and your trash bag. On 37 more trash days to go!

B

In California counties, indeed, those sentences can be imposed by the Judge, but it is entirely at his discretion, and I am sure he was well aware of that sentencing choice, and chose not to exercise it.

They are known as S.W.A.P. (Sheriff's Work Alternative Program) or, as some would have it, going for the "Golden Broom" award. They take you out there to the site on the Jail bus, and you get a box lunch from jail to eat, (baloney sandwich on white bread, an orange, 1/2 pint of milk and an oatmeal cookie) and porta potties by the side of the road.

I think Paris Hilton wouldn't even last one day on SWAP though. That scene is not exactly the MTV awards, and the cuisine isn't what you get at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Mess up just oncet, on SWAP, and that's even if you are late, and buh-bye, it's bracelets, back on the bus, back to County and you finish your time in lock up. Nothing personal.

Fail to show up even once to SWAP, and you get an instant SWAP no show bench warrant, no bail on the warrant.

Unfortunately, the whole thing turned into a media circus, and as Ernesto has pointed out, there are some real problems in the Jail administration and County Sheriff's administration at the top levels that are in play.

aklim · #**108** 06-09-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

there are some real problems in the Jail administration and County Sheriff's administration at the top levels that are in play.

What did you expect? You put a human being in charge of something and you expect impartiality? Not consistently in this world. Favoritism is always going to happen among human beings. If I had to choose which stranger to pick up on the side of the road, you bet it will be the busty cute co-ed instead of the fat ugly girl. In that sense, I am paid in one currency. As Sheriff, he might be worried about his re-election fund. PH will take care of that for him. Again, payment in a different currency. We are good fishing and hunting buddies. My company can do landscaping work. Well, I might do it for you at cost. Again, payment in yet another currency.

Look, we do that all the time. Why all the anger and surprise when PH and people like her do it?

Hatterasguy · #**109** 06-09-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

So a poor guy can't get the city to vote on zoning a parcel of land R-3 and the landowner can. Well, no kidding.....

The votes have to be public. If something is zoned under the table then the public is stupid for letting it happen.

I'm not arguing this with you, I know what goes on in my city.

BENZ-LGB · #**110** 06-09-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

This whole thing is stupid IMO. It's more of a class envy issue than legal issue if the elected Sheriff decided to put her on home confinement so be it. I bet its a PIA for the guards to protect her its a waste of valuable resources IMO.

I am a bit prejudiced because of my opinion on confinement overall. I think that sentences should be served to benefit society. In Paris Hiltons case LA county would be much better served if her notoriety was used to help. Martha Stewart was another example how did society benefit from her jail term vs. the alternate of her helping battered women start their own business and take control of their lives?

I couldn't disagree more with your statements.

I was upset with the initial turn of events. I do not have Hilton-money, never have, never will (unless I win El Gordo -- the Big One). But I do OK and I was aggravated by the Sheriff's actions. Many people who are similarly situated were equally upset. No a single drop of class envy here.

The Sheriff violated a clear, direct and unambiguous court order. He is in contempt of court, plain and simple. This is not even a close close.

Paris' jail sentence has a significant and important deterrent effect. First, other pseudo celebrities, starlets and air heads have heard the message loud and clear: fight the law and the law will win. If you lived here in So. Cal., and especially in certai ares of So. Cal. you have to deal with loud, obnoxious celebs and near-celebs who think they own the world. go to any restaurant in Malibu and you see these jackasses acting like they own the cops, like the own you and me and like the own the world. Seeing one of their kind being dragged away, crying "mommy!!!" should have some sort of deterrent effect.

Second, Paris jail sentence will have (I hope) a deterrent effect on other criminals. Right about now they should be thingking: "If it could happen to Paris, it could happen to me." Her early release just had the oposite effect.

BENZ-LGB · #**111** 06-09-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

What did you expect?

In a word: YES.

Your poor opinion of elected officials (and of people in general) notwithstanding there are in fact elected officials who conduct themseleves with honesty, rectitude and a high degree of morality.

BENZ-LGB · #**112** 06-09-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

In California counties, indeed, those sentences can be imposed by the Judge, but it is entirely at his discretion, and I am sure he was well aware of that sentencing choice, and chose not to exercise it.

They are known as S.W.A.P. (Sheriff's Work Alternative Program) or, as some would have it, going for the "Golden Broom" award. They take you out there to the site on the Jail bus, and you get a box lunch from jail to eat, (baloney sandwich on white bread, an orange, 1/2 pint of milk and an oatmeal cookie) and porta potties by the side of the road.

I think Paris Hilton wouldn't even last one day on SWAP though. That scene is not exactly the MTV awards, and the cuisine isn't what you get at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Mess up just oncet, on SWAP, and that's even if you are late, and buh-bye, it's bracelets, back on the bus, back to County and you finish your time in lock up. Nothing personal.

Fail to show up even once to SWAP, and you get an instant SWAP no show bench warrant, no bail on the warrant.

Unfortunately, the whole thing turned into a media circus, and as Ernesto has pointed out, there are some real problems in the Jail administration and County Sheriff's administration at the top levels that are in play.

Jim, your comments are right on target.

The problem with Paris' "early" release is not the timing so much as the way in whihc it was handled by the Sheriff. No one likes Sheriff Baca andis actions only serve to point out what a weasel he is.

I think that there is more to this story that we are being told.

Mistress · #**113** 06-09-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Jim, your comments are right on target.

The problem with Paris' "early" release is not the timing so much as the way in whihc it was handled by the Sheriff. No one likes Sheriff Baca andis actions only serve to point out what a weasel he is.

I think that there is more to this story that we are being told.

I am confused, i thought she got sent back yesterday.....

BENZ-LGB · #**114** 06-09-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I am confused, i thought she got sent back yesterday.....

She was.

Designo_E320 · #**115** 06-09-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I think that there is more to this story that we are being told.

Like someone said before, the sheriff may have gotten serviced

Jim B. · #**116** 06-09-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

.... and I was aggravated by the Sheriff's actions. Many people who are similarly situated were equally upset. No a single drop of class envy here.

The Sheriff violated a clear, direct and unambiguous court order. He is in contempt of court, plain and simple. This is not even a close close.

Paris' jail sentence has a significant and important deterrent effect. First, other pseudo celebrities, starlets and air heads have heard the message loud and clear: fight the law and the law will win. If you lived here in So. Cal., and especially in certai ares of So. Cal. you have to deal with loud, obnoxious celebs and near-celebs who think they own the world. go to any restaurant in Malibu and you see these jackasses acting like they own the cops, like the own you and me and like the own the world. Seeing one of their kind being dragged away, crying "mommy!!!" should have some sort of deterrent effect.

Second, Paris jail sentence will have (I hope) a deterrent effect on other criminals. Right about now they should be thingking: "If it could happen to Paris, it could happen to me." Her early release just had the oposite effect.

I don't understand, Ernesto, why people can't come to terms with the fact that the Sheriff of LA appears to have an agenda of his own here. You have stated it chapter, verse, line and page. How much clearer does it need to be stated??

He is another elected Politician, with a personal axe to grind, and it's pretty obvious he doesn't want to offend the rich and famous.

This time he went over the edge, and the Judge contmplated holding him in contempt.

This kind of thing is not unique to Los Angeles County either. San Francisco had an over the top and wacky Sheriff like this who actually, ultimately, DID go to jail for contempt.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,918978,00.html

ANY ongoing mal - administration of the LASD office is an issue that really needs to be addressed, though it's not as "sexy" an item for the media as Paris Hilton, in terms of flogging newspapers.

This is the real rock that needs to be overturned.

BENZ-LGB · #**117** 06-10-2007, 12:06 AM

Jim, further to your comments, here is an AP story:

Sheriff under fire in Paris Hilton case

By MICHAEL BLOOD, Associated Press Writer

Fri Jun 8, 9:19 PM ET

This is not the first time that Lee Baca, the sheriff who opened the jail door for Paris Hilton, has had his judgment questioned.

He's been accused of using his authority to benefit friends and supporters. Since taking office he's accepted thousands of dollars worth of freebie meals, sports tickets and trips.

Now Baca is facing accusations of favoritism after making the decision that allowed Hilton to leave jail Thursday to serve out her sentence at her West Hollywood home.

He dismissed that criticism, saying Friday that Hilton had been ordered to spend an unusually long time behind bars. (NB: Who gives Baca the right to substitute his judgment for the court's judgment and to act as an advocate for Paris Hilton?)

Under his department's early release program, Hilton would not have served any time in jail and would have been put on home electronic monitoring, Baca said.

"The special treatment, in a sense, appears to be because of her celebrity status," he said. "She got more time in jail."

After ordering Hilton back to her cell Friday, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer said he "at no time condoned the actions of the sheriff."

The union representing deputy sheriffs demanded that Baca "put a stop to his special treatment for celebrity inmates." And county Supervisor Don Knabe said he was stunned to find out Baca released Hilton without consulting the court. (NB: His own deputies can't stand the Sheriff!)

"I would have thought he would have better judgment than that," Knabe said.

The county Board of Supervisors will demand a report on Hilton's release and Baca's decision-making in the matter, Knabe said.

For Baca, 65, who has led the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since 1998, the blowback is not extraordinary.

When Mel Gibson was arrested for drunken driving, the department withheld video and audio tapes of the arrest, asserting they were exempt from open-government laws.

There were questions about favorable treatment for Gibson after a sheriff's spokesman initially said the arrest occurred "without incident" and made no mention of the superstar's now-notorious anti-Semitic rant.

"When a celebrity is involved, that's when people pay attention," said Robert Stern of the Center for Governmental Studies, a research group. "The big question ... is why didn't the sheriff go to the judge" before Hilton was released.

Baca has dismissed criticism over the decision.

Last year, the Los Angeles Times reported Baca put one of his closest friends on the payroll as a $105,000-a-year adviser.

The newspaper also said he had accepted more than $42,000 in gifts since taking office, including some from those who do business with his department.

In 2004, he took more gifts than California's other 57 sheriffs combined. (NB: And the money keeps rolling in!)

Baca oversees an 8,000-officer force that has been vexed by low morale, tight budgets, overcrowded jails and the persistence of gang crime.

Jonathan Wilcox, a Republican strategist who teaches a course on politics and celebrity at the University of Southern California, said Baca may be caught between public expectations and the reality of the criminal justice system:

"Sheriff Baca needs to be very concerned with at least the impression that the final frontier — the law — is now as affected by celebrity as almost every other aspect of our lives."

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press

Baca is the worst Sheriff in recent L.A. history. His pandering to celebrities is shameless.

Jim B. · #**118** 06-10-2007, 12:30 AM

Thanks for that story, Ernesto. That certainly looks like prima facie evidence of corruption; the Sheriff deputies on the line usually know the true state of the department.

Seems to cry out for a Grand Jury if you ask me.

BENZ-LGB · #**119** 06-10-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Thanks for that story, Ernesto. That certainly looks like prima facie evidence of corruption; the Sheriff deputies on the line usually know the true state of the department.

Seems to cry out for a Grand Jury if you ask me.

There may never be a GJ investigation.

Too many other people may get splattered.

In my experience, whenever you get involved with celebrities, you end up getting burned by the red-hot light that's is always on them.

Baca, like a moth, will eventually get burned.

Best to keep away from them and, if you need to deal with any of them, treat them like you'd treat any other defendant.

aklim · #**120** 06-10-2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Paris' jail sentence has a significant and important deterrent effect. First, other pseudo celebrities, starlets and air heads have heard the message loud and clear: fight the law and the law will win. If you lived here in So. Cal., and especially in certai ares of So. Cal. you have to deal with loud, obnoxious celebs and near-celebs who think they own the world. go to any restaurant in Malibu and you see these jackasses acting like they own the cops, like the own you and me and like the own the world. Seeing one of their kind being dragged away, crying "mommy!!!" should have some sort of deterrent effect.

Second, Paris jail sentence will have (I hope) a deterrent effect on other criminals. Right about now they should be thingking: "If it could happen to Paris, it could happen to me." Her early release just had the oposite effect.

Like Michael Jackson who is still looking for his wife's killer on the golf course?