Jail should be a last resort for violent offenders from whom society needs to be protected. Driving under suspension, without more, even if on probation, just doesn't qualify in my opinion

et al - I have seen up close and personal the human cost of the actions of those who continue to drive after being told they have lost the right.

Walk in that room and have them pull the sheet back and then go outside crying and puking and cursing.

And then tell me Paris Hilton got a bum deal.

In some cases, one might say that a person who had limited means or competing important considerations might be forgiven for failing to meet even the light terms of the original sentence Hilton received.  But there is literally no reason why she needs to drive anywhere, ever, for purposes of her career, lifestyle, whatever.  Her refusal to meet the requirements of her probation was simply a refusal to pay any attention to the law.  Those who pay no attention to making good on their obligations to the law are liable for such punishments, me thinks.

I would think that a lighter prison sentence might also have been just, but when a scofflaw has nearly unlimited resources to live up to the terms of a sentence, yet refuses to do so, then physical coercion seems to be the only way to show that she is not above the law.  

No sympathy here.

The smoking gun against Hilton, [Judge] Sauer explained, was a document she had signed after being pulled over in January, acknowledging being told by police that she understood her license was suspended for four months following her no-contest plea to a September arrest for driving under the influence.

When she was pulled over again Feb. 27 and her car was impounded, officers found the document in the glove compartment.

"She signs it, she carries it in her car for two months. In my opinion, she knew her license was suspended," Sauer said.

Paris' mom's attempt at snark does not seem to have helped:

Hilton's mother, Kathy, sarcastically dismissed the judge as a publicity-seeking scoundrel, blurting out "May I have your autograph?" as he rendered his decision.

Treating judges like "the help" does not cut it anywhere, for anyone.

I'm currently working on an appeal in another state for a third-time DWI offender, who has received the mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days' jail (in addition to the fines, penalties, surcharges, and license suspensions).  In his case, the State is appealing the sentence, because the judge had the temerity to allow him to serve the sentence on the weekends (a legal sentence) and the jailer says it would be too inconvenient to obey the court's judgment, so he should serve it in one lump.  Who gives a sh*t that his business will be destroyed and all the rest - the jailer's convenience is primary here.

Jail should be a last resort for violent offenders from whom society needs to be protected.

There are a lot more reasons that people are put in jail other than to protect the general public.  There is deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, etc.  It would be a pretty scary world if we abided by your sole principle for punishment.

It's a no-brainer that she received a harsher penalty because of "who she is"...and that's because "who she is" mandated a different punishment in hopes of avoiding future incidents.  She didn't receive a harsher penalty than the law would allow.

Paris' defense was a little weak

But as always you offer a compassionate and refreshing take.

Paris could never survive in the LA jail, but surely her lawyer will arrange for her to go to one of those Celebrity Jails.  It's not like money is a problem.  

Not showing up on time with a feeble defense probably annoyed the judge. I am amazed at how many defendants and their relatives do things to annoy judges.

let me tangent a bit - I've despised the fascists since RayGun, and I've considered them fascists since RayGun 1979, when I was 19.  BUT

john dean, patty hearst, ollie north ... these rich / powerful slime NEVER really pay for their crimes against the community - not the way us pee-ons pay.  

median household income in the u.s.a. is about 45k ? how many $500 / hour lawyers does that family budget buy ? how much justice do we-the-peee-ons get? what we can pay for ;)

maybe she should have done what the judge told her to do, like many of the rest of us mere mortals would have done.

Many years ago my wife would visit  the Sybil Brand jail for women as part of Friends Outside (a Quaker group) and in those  days the inmates were mostly in for drugs, forgery, prostitution and theft. The jail was so large she thought it was a prison. In those days it was unusual for a woman to be in jail charged with a violent crime. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. I understand the Sybil Brand jail was closed and the women moved to an even larger jail.

Seriously, all my misdemeant first time Driving Under Suspension clients usually get the option of one week in jail or one month in-home detention.

On the other hand, Paris clearly didn't take much notice of her sentence for alcohol-related reckless driving (a serious offence which can easily claim lives) so where is a court supposed to go from there?  To argue that her 'people' didn't tell her the right information is not just weak; she had a responsibility to find out for herself.  If I were in that situation and said, 'Oh, my husband reads all the mail and he didn't explain it properly to me' the judge probably would have laughed in my face.

A prison tat would be awesome and a definitely a bonus surprise! Paris Hilton with a Love / Hate prison tattoo on her knuckles. Sweet!

we both agreed that mom would have spent a weekend in custody for direct contempt of court.  Given the bull***t story ms. hilton gave at her hearing, i am surprised she only got 45 days.

Let me start off that I have very personal experience with drunk drivers so I had to step back quite a bit to see the bigger picture, but it still stinks IMHO.

When it comes to worldly matters Paris Hilton is really still a kid, in a golden cage.  She knows the press, she knows a vague world out there via her advisors (who should be sacked) - but not reality.

I agree with a custodial punishment because money would not have registered, but 45 days is excessive.  Worse, she'll need to be isolated for her safety (and that of her convictors, God help them is anything should happen to her) which will make it very much worse.  This is not a punishment, this is pure malice.

In that context it is also interesting to note the unseemly haste by which she is meant to go to prison.  Others get the time to get their life in order first, but that seems not be worthy of consideration here.  Why?  Worried she may appeal?  Something that was overlooked in the proceedings but thankfully not observed by the defense?

Lastly, what good will this serve?  Send a warning to all young girls?  When Paris comes out she'll have one hell of a party (and just let someone else drive).  And it's not like she needs to go for a mortgage, a job or a loan somewhere so the record will mean exactly nothing - great example.

Actually, with this self righteous stand there's a little extra future problem lurking: if the Hilton's employ someone to keep an eye on the respective members' that convicted her (just in the interest of the public, of course) they better stick rather rigidly to the super safe "let's not even THINK about breaking the law - oh my God a parking ticket" or they'll be fed to the press like they have used Paris Hilton.

Because that's what it really was - extra punishment for being famous. She didn't stand a chance.

Paris Hilton, who was sentenced to 45 days in jail, has called the judgment cruel and unwarranted -- and fired her spokesperson [Elliot Mintz] who she blames for the incident.

In court the 26-year-old heiress claimed before Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer that her publicist Elliot Mintz had told her she was allowed to drive in work-related situations. She also claimed the veteran rep, who started out in the 1970s through his links with John Lennon, had told her repeatedly that the license was only suspended for 30 days.

It's almost like she needs a babysitter. It's actually kind of sad. This family is freakin' loaded, yet they didn't have one of their lawyers constantly updating her on the legal situation? Shouldn't she have one of the family lawyers in her 5, just in case.