Is the law easier on celebrities?
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234 votes
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Every so often there is news of a celebrity getting arrested for something stupid that they did. Usually, this story is followed weeks, days or even minutes later, with another story announcing their release. As a result, it seems like most celebrities can commit numerous crimes – and after a promise to seek anger management courses, or a tearful plea about some made up medical condition – they are able to walk away with just a slap on the wrist. Even for more serious crimes, it seems like the sentences are drastically reduced, or charges dropped altogether. Want proof? Well, here are fifteen celebrities whose behavior provide us with prime examples.
1. Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton has had her share of run-ins with the law. In September of 2006 Hilton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, which left her with a suspended license, 36 months probation and a $1,500 fine. On January 15, 2007 Hilton was pulled over again for driving with a suspended license. Having still not learned her lesson, Hilton was pulled over yet again on February 27 of 2007 for driving 70 mph in a 30 mph zone with a suspended license! Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail and checked into the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, Calif. on June 5, 2007. Hilton was later released June 7th on the grounds of an unspecified medical condition and was re-sentenced to 40 days home confinement with an electronic monitoring device. Even Paris herself was stunned by the media blitz. In a statement she issued while serving her jail sentence for drunk driving, she said, “I was shocked to see all of the attention dedicated to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world.” How do we justify a nation that seems so dedicated to covering every move celebrity media giants make? Why is it that the death of Anna Nicole Smith, Britney’s bald head, Paris’ prison stint and Lohan’s drug use take priority ahead of issues that could actually benefit the intelligence and awareness of the American public? Looking back at the past year, you can count multiple times that the news media went haywire about celebrity spectacles like Mel Gibson’s rants, Jessica Simpson’s breakup and Angelina’s adoption. These so-called events sometimes dominate front pages of major reputable newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and New York Times. Every time I logged on to the Internet, I was appalled to see the headlines screaming from my home page often under the heading of “national news,” the Paris, Britney and Lindsay stories had higher placement than stories about suicide bombings in Iraq or Karl Rove’s resignation. With Hollywood being the heartland of most media outlets, it’s understandable that a little bit of celebrity coverage should show up. I sometimes feel that America is a country that feeds on the spotlighted failures of its prominent citizens. It’s as if we’re trying to prove through our fixation on celebrity gossip that America is the best, because celebrities have too much money and time on their hands, which might send the message that every American citizen lives a luxurious life. Last week, Nicole Richie was released from prison due to overcrowding, 82 minutes into her 4-day sentence. She never even saw the inside of a jail cell. Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to only one day in jail after driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Better yet, Lohan didn’t even serve her own sentence.
2. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan and her eyebrows were arrested after police found her in a Santa Monica parking lot engaged in a “heated debate” with a former assistant on the evening of July 24, 2007. Lohan failed field sobriety tests and later testing showed her blood alcohol level to be above the legal limit. Police also uncovered a small amount of cocaine upon their search. Lohan pleaded guilty to cocaine posession and driving under the influence and was sentenced to one day in jail and 10 days community service along with three years probation. As fate would have it, Lohan was released after serving 84 minutes of her sentence!
3. Khloe Kardashian
Star of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’, Khloe Kardashian was arrested in March 2007 on DUI charges. The less larger and less- attractive sister of Kim, was then sentenced to thirty days in jail. She was however, released less than three hours after beginning her sentence.
4. Matthew McConaughey
Responding to a noise disturbance call, police found pre-hair plug McConaughey naked and playing the bongos in his Austin, Texas home in October 1999. Police arrested McConaughey on charges of possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. Drug charges were dropped from McConaughey and he was fined only $50 for violation of the city’s noise ordinance. We are wondering if the Austin police brass included any women.
5. Winona Ryder
On December 12, 2001 Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting thousands of dollars of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills, California. Found guilty, she was convicted of grand theft and vandalism. Her mild sentence (for felony charge) included: three years probation, 480 hours community service and Rider was required to pay restitution fees to Saks Fifth Avenue department store.
6. James Brown
Nobody has had more encounters with the law than the “Godfather of Soul” himself, James Brown. Theft, assault, drugs and domestic violence just to name a few – but the cream of the crop took place in September of 1988 in Augusta, Georgia. High on PCP, Brown busted into an insurance seminar taking place next to his office flailing a shotgun and demanding to know who used his private restroom. Only after locking his restroom did Brown flee the scene. Police chased Brown from Augusta to South Carolina and back to Georgia. Police eventually shot out Brown’s tires and he was sentenced to six years in prison. Three short years later, he was paroled in February of 1991.
7. Jim Morrison
At a Doors concert in New Haven, CT Jim Morrison and his mistress were caught having sex backstage by a police officer. Upon asking the couple to desist ,Morrison grew violent and was sprayed with mace. After Doors’ manager, Bill Siddons, pleaded with police to allow Morrison to perform they agreed; however Morrison was arrested onstage for attempting to arouse a riot by recounting the earlier events of the night to the audience. Morrison was arrested on the charges of breach of peace, resisting arrest and immoral exhibition. All charges were later dropped except for breach of peace and Morrison was left with only a $25 fine.
8. Zsa Zsa Gabor
Hollywood actress Zsa Zsa Gabor was pulled over for routine traffic violation on June 14, 1989. Upon pulling her over, the office found that Gabor’s license and registration were both expired. While waiting for the police officer to confirm her identity and status, Gabor drove off. Gabor was pulled over once again and upon exiting her vehicle slapped the officer across the face. Gabor was charged with battery of an officer, disobeying an officer, driving without a registration and license and driving with an open container. Gabor was sentenced to 72 hours in jail and 120 hours community service.
9. Bill Murray
IN 2007, Actor Bill Murray was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden for driving under the influence…in a golf cart. Refusing a breath test Murray underwent a blood test, which he was told would take took fourteen days for results. Murray then signed a document stating that he was driving under the influence and agreed to let an officer plead guilty for him if the case were to reach the court. Detective-Inspector Christer Holmlund of the Stockholm police said although high alcohol levels could result in prison time, fines are more likely in Murray’s case.
10. Ozzy Osbourne
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested while wearing a dress, for urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph. As a result, Osbourne was banned from the city of San Antonio for a decade. Note: this photo above is from another alcohol-related incident, in Tennessee in 1984. Since Osbourne’s Alabo fiasco, he has donated $20,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas appeal to help restore the Alamo.
11. Nicole Richie
In February of 2003 Nicole Richie was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and driving with a suspended license. In December of 2006 Richie was arrested once again by California Highway Patrol after failing a field sobriety test. Several witnesses saw Richie enter the freeway from the exit ramp and traveling in the wrong direction. Richie was sentenced to four days in jail but only served 82 minutes.
12. Woody Harrelson
On October 10, 1982 police found “Cheers” star Woody Harrelson drunkenly dancing in the middle of the street. After hauling him into the police vehicle Harrelson managed to break free resulting in a foot chase that ultimately ended when Harrelson punched one of the officers. From the looks of things (above), he was punched as well. Harrelson was charged with misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest, he was fined $390.
13. Kid Rock
In October 2007 musician Kid Rock was involved in a fight at the southern restaurant chain ‘Waffle House’. The police too KR into custody along with five members of his entourage, whereupon they were each charged with simple battery. Kid rock was sentenced to 80 hours community service, a fine of $1,000 and was required to complete a six hour course in anger management.
14. Natasha Lyonne
After verbally attacking her neighbor, breaking her neighbors mirror and threatening to molest her neighbors dog, Natasha Lyonne found herself in handcuffs one fateful after noon in December 2004 After a night in jail, Lyonne was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief, harassment and trespassing. In April 2005 an arrest warrant was issued for Lyonne on behalf of her failure to appear in court and again in January 2006. Lyonne finally showed up in court in December 2006 and was sentenced to conditional discharge.
15. Foxy Brown
Rapper Foxy Brown was taken into custody on August 29, 2004 after attacking two manicurists in a Chelsea, Manhattan nail salon. The dispute was over a $20 bill, which Brown refused to pay. As a result, Brown was sentenced to three years probation and anger management classes. Brown was also arrested on numerous occasions in 2007 for violating probation, hitting a neighbor with a BlackBerry and almost running over a baby in a stroller while driving her silver Range Rover. Neither even has led to any serious criminal or legal ramifications.
OTher Celberties like
Vince Neil from Motley Crue
Vince Neil from Motley Crue must report to prison on February 15th for a ...Testifying in the murder trial of Ryan Widmer in Warren County
http://www.lvrj.com/news/m_tley-cr_e-frontman-vince-neal-plea...
OJ Simpson even thou he was found not guilty we all know he got away with it because of money and his fame
Charlie Sheen hes arrested over and over and over again for the same thing and nothing is done he even spoofs his own behavior on 2 and half men tv show and still nothing is done
Charlie Sheen is another good example. He held a knife to his wife's throat, threatening to kill her. If that was me, I would be going away for a LONG time. Mr. Sheen isn't even going to serve one day. He also happens to make 2 million dollars an episode on Two and a Half Men. Go figure.
Even Paris herself was stunned by the media blitz. In a statement she issued while serving her jail sentence for drunk driving, she said, “I was shocked to see all of the attention dedicated to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around t...
Even Paris herself was stunned by the media blitz. In a statement she issued while serving her jail sentence for drunk driving, she said, “I was shocked to see all of the attention dedicated to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world.”
How do we justify a nation that seems so dedicated to covering every move celebrity media giants make? Why is it that the death of Anna Nicole Smith, Britney’s bald head, Paris’ prison stint and Lohan’s drug use take priority ahead of issues that could actually benefit the intelligence and awareness of the American public?
Looking back at the past year, you can count multiple times that the news media went haywire about celebrity spectacles like Mel Gibson’s rants, Jessica Simpson’s breakup and Angelina’s adoption. These so-called events sometimes dominate front pages of major reputable newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and New York Times.
Every time I logged on to the Internet, I was appalled to see the headlines screaming from my home page often under the heading of “national news,” the Paris, Britney and Lindsay stories had higher placement than stories about suicide bombings in Iraq or Karl Rove’s resignation. With Hollywood being the heartland of most media outlets, it’s understandable that a little bit of celebrity coverage should show up.
I sometimes feel that America is a country that feeds on the spotlighted failures of its prominent citizens. It’s as if we’re trying to prove through our fixation on celebrity gossip that America is the best, because celebrities have too much money and time on their hands, which might send the message that every American citizen lives a luxurious life.
Last week, Nicole Richie was released from prison due to overcrowding, 82 minutes into her 4-day sentence. She never even saw the inside of a jail cell. Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to only one day in jail after driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Better yet, Lohan didn’t even serve her own sentence
I honestly don't pay much attention to ANY celebrity arrests OR quasi-punishments and don't really give a rat's ass if Mel Gibson wants to get drunk and rant up a storm about ME being a "damned jew" unless he's close enough I can actually punch him in the mouth.
For me to say I'm "indifferent" to these morons OR them slamming various body parts in a car door would be an understatement of BIBLICAL proportions. Why OTHERS do care I could not even BEGIN to imagine.
Celebrities make piles of money., this allows them to pay for the top of the line legal teams who know every nook and cranny of law and work it to the best advantage of their clients. The rest of us are left with lesser defense hence, it looks like favoritism but it is really just about the money and what money can buy.
Fair, unfair - hell, who ever told anyone that life was fair? It isn't, never will be and if somone is telling you it is - they are lying.
Don't mess with Ozzie!
Life is like a Sh!t sandwich, the more bread you have , the less Sh!t you have to eat.
why nothing on the news about it
why judges get away with letting celebs off the hook and nothing is done about it
Why not bring up the rapper T.I he was arrested trying to buy full automatic weapons and suppressors from a Federal agent. Now start with the fact that as a convicted felon he is not allowed to possess any firearm at all. then the fact the he tried to buy them illegally and the fact they are both illegal in his state. He was given 1 tear community service and I think 6 months house arrest. Now compare that to the guy in the Mid west whose AR15 miss fired a 3 round burst because of a malfunction and the feds gave him 7 years
Even Paris herself was stunned by the media blitz. In a statement she issued while serving her jail sentence for drunk driving, she said, “I was shocked to see all of the attention dedicated to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around t...
Even Paris herself was stunned by the media blitz. In a statement she issued while serving her jail sentence for drunk driving, she said, “I was shocked to see all of the attention dedicated to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world.”
How do we justify a nation that seems so dedicated to covering every move celebrity media giants make? Why is it that the death of Anna Nicole Smith, Britney’s bald head, Paris’ prison stint and Lohan’s drug use take priority ahead of issues that could actually benefit the intelligence and awareness of the American public?
Looking back at the past year, you can count multiple times that the news media went haywire about celebrity spectacles like Mel Gibson’s rants, Jessica Simpson’s breakup and Angelina’s adoption. These so-called events sometimes dominate front pages of major reputable newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and New York Times.
Every time I logged on to the Internet, I was appalled to see the headlines screaming from my home page often under the heading of “national news,” the Paris, Britney and Lindsay stories had higher placement than stories about suicide bombings in Iraq or Karl Rove’s resignation. With Hollywood being the heartland of most media outlets, it’s understandable that a little bit of celebrity coverage should show up.
I sometimes feel that America is a country that feeds on the spotlighted failures of its prominent citizens. It’s as if we’re trying to prove through our fixation on celebrity gossip that America is the best, because celebrities have too much money and time on their hands, which might send the message that every American citizen lives a luxurious life.
Last week, Nicole Richie was released from prison due to overcrowding, 82 minutes into her 4-day sentence. She never even saw the inside of a jail cell. Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to only one day in jail after driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Better yet, Lohan didn’t even serve her own sentence
Just like the politicians, slap on the wrist,
Interpretation is the devil in these details and big money being thrown around in judges chambers.
If a studio has a popular series on TV and the shooting schedule will be interrupted by the incarceration of it's star......there will be an amazing amount of legalese in the explanation of why this person is on the set and not in jail.
If they've done the same crime as us then they should get the same punishment. The Law is equal before everyone.
That while all people are equal under the law,
some are more equal than others.