Lindsay Lohan Declines Plea Deal; Judge Warns 'This Case Involves Jail Time'

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 23rd 2011 12:40PM

Lindsay Lohan put off her problems for another couple of weeks on Wednesday and declined to take a plea deal that Judge Keith L. Schwartz promised would include jail time, setting up another hearing on March 10 that will again address charges she stole a necklace and violated probation.

"I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan vs. Jane Doe. It doesn't affect me," Judge Schwartz said in the Los Angeles courtroom with Lohan, wearing white pants and a low-cut shirt, looking on. "This case does involve jail time. Period. If you plead in front of me, you are going to jail."

But Lohan and her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, opted to push the case to another hearing set for March 10 rather than take a deal yet. The judge said that the next time she faces him she'll need to decide whether to settle or not.

He said he wasn't holding his breath for a quick resolution, though.

"I get the impression you are not going to accept the DA's offer," Judge Schwartz said. "That's the feeling I got. If you settle this case, you will be treated exactly the same as anyone else."

Prosecutor Danette Meyers reportedly presented Lohan's legal team with a plea bargain that included significant jail time for her probation violation. The deal also reportedly offers three years felony probation for the grand theft charge.

As he did during the last hearing, Judge Schwartz took a few minutes to publicly scold the actress and offer his advice for what Lohan should do. He suggested that she have additional psychological screenings and therapy. He also said she needs a 12-step sponsor that is not a member of her family.

"You need a good sponsor who will assist you to help you stay away from substance abuse issues, alcohol issues," he said.

► WATCH VIDEO: Footage From Inside Court, Via RadarOnline.com

The star's mother and father were in court to offer their support. A RadarOnline reporter spotted Lohan giving her father, Michael, a kiss goodbye. After the hearing, Michael Lohan addressed the media in a long and scathing exchange with reporters. He accused the jewelry store of tricking Lohan into taking the necklace in order to promote the store. He alleged that when they felt they had not received enough promotion, they sought police action.

He also singled out his ex-wife, Dina, as not doing enough to help create a positive environment for Lindsay's recovery.

The next hearing has been set for March 10 at 8:30 AM.

If she does not plead guilty or no contest to the felony charge at that time, the case would then transfer to Judge Stephanie Sautner of the Airport Courthouse, who would be tasked with holding the preliminary hearing in the grand theft case as well as consider the star's probation violation.

Lohan was officially charged during a hearing on Feb. 9. After pleading not guilty, Judge Schwartz lanced into the actress for not taking the charges seriously. "If you violate the law again, I will remand you with no bail," he told her. "Things will be different."

If this goes to trial and she is convicted, Lohan could be sent to a California state prison with a maximum sentence of three years behind bars.

The actress, who remains on probation in a 2007 drunken driving case, is accused of taking a necklace from Kamofie & Co. of Venice Beach, Calif., on Jan. 22, roughly three weeks after the actress was released from three months of court-ordered rehab at the Betty Ford Center.

A police report was filed the day of the incident, and authorities reportedly waited until she was photographed wearing the necklace until deciding to pursue charges. A friend of the actress turned the necklace in to the Pacific Division of the LAPD on Feb. 2.

Lohan's lawyer, Holley, has denied the charges, and the actress apparently claimed that the necklace was loaned to her -- and that, unbeknownst to LiLo, her stylist simply forgot to return it in time. The star's dad, Michael Lohan, told PopEater at the time that the entire incident was as a "ridiculous" misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, rumors of Lohan's recent late-night partying probably haven't helped her case, and the actress took to Twitter to try to clear her name.

According to PEOPLE, Lohan was spotted leaving Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel last week with Samantha Ronson.

"I was just at roosevelt to meet Samantha and say happy birthday to a friend," Lohan tweeted. "i take my sobriety seriously. please dont believe this accusations. i know the rules and i wouldnt risk probation."

On Saturday night she was out late again, catching a show by Ferras at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe.

"Went to see my friend @ohferras perform and was talking to a future costar -- just to be bombarded by paparazzi," she wrote. "So much for being normal -- im now winded and headed home."

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Lindsay In Familiar Settings

Lindsay Lohan was officially charged Wednesday with felony grand theft of a $2,500 necklace from a Venice Beach jewelry store. The 'Mean Girls' star arrived in court for her arraignment in a skin-tight white dress and black sunglasses.

AFP/Getty Images

AFP

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

(FILES) Dated July 20, 2010 filed photo shows Lindsay Lohan arrives to begin her 90 day jail sentence at the Beverly Hills Courthouse, California. Troubled Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan has failed a drugs test and could face being thrown back behind bars for breaching her bail terms, reports said September 17, 2010. The star, who was released from rehab last month after serving just three weeks of a six-month jail sentence over a drunk-driving case, failed the test for cocaine last week, said People magazine and the TMZ celebrity news agency. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

FILE - In this July 20, 2010 file photo, Lindsay Lohan listens during a court hearing in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/ Los Angeles Times, Al Seib, pool)

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan is seen shopping on Robertson Blvd. on September 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - September, 15 2010 Los Angeles, CA United States September 15, 2010 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com To license this image (61684119), contact WireImage.com

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan tried on a couple different hats, but left her bra at home. The star was dressed in black, on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 X17online.com exclusive

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan tried on a couple different hats, but left her bra at home. The star was dressed in black, on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 X17online.com exclusive

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan tried on a couple different hats, but left her bra at home. The star was dressed in black, on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 X17online.com exclusive

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Lindsay Lohan tried on a couple different hats, but left her bra at home. The star was dressed in black, on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 X17online.com exclusive

Lindsay Lohan Snapshots

Tags: lindsay lohan

Comments

(347)

Wednesday 23 February

By Peter

Vote down Vote up Report this

That's because all these people around her (including the judges) have been so laxed with her, that she feels she can get away with anything. Letting her off this time around, will only solidify that. She will never learn this way. And the justice system is truly broken if she gets off again from a major offense.

By dhatchone

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The justice system sucks, people like this can buy there way out of anything short of a killin and that excludes OJ. It's all about the might dollar. We need to go back into time and use punishment instead of the hand slaping. If you kill someone we kill you back if you do sometime lesser we give you 2 years min/ probation is for kids.

By Linda

She will NEVER learn her lesson coz she keeps getting off with a slap on the wrist. Us NORMAL folk would NEVER get off as easy as she has for all she has done in the past. It is ridiculous. It is more like a circus then a court room watching what is going on and no...justice is NOT being served the way this skank is getting treated. THROW HER BUTT IN JAIL FOR A GOOD LONG TIME. TEACH HER A LESSON ALREADY! She has already ruined her career and reputation and does not seem to think coz of who she is that even the judge, or cops can do jack to her. TEACH HER A LESSON ALREADY! Throw this ridiculous attention whor* into jail already for Pete sake!! Enough is enough!!! Money might be able to buy a lot of things, but it should not be able to buy someones way out of a sentence or jail time. It is NOT right!

By Anthony

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Not just you Linda, but myself included. We all have done something were not proud of. She didn't kill anyone. We build these kids up, give them the world. Then we take it all away from them. It's not her fault and its not fair to a kid. It's her parents, the media, the justice system, and us who are the blame. Maybe we should take a long hard look at ourselves. In other words we shouldn't be throwing stones.

By maryyy

Anthony....It's not her fault? Are you serious? That's half the problem with today's youth. It's everyone elses fault. NEVER theirs. Give me a break. She is all grown up and should be capable of making her own decisions, which she has. Poor ones, but she made them herself. Quit blaming everyone else on earth for HER behavior!

By Arthur Jackson

Everyone in this childs life has used her. This Sheman Ronson or whatever needs to leave this child alone. Everyone needs to back off and let her get her life together. Get her away from these hanger on's. No one would even have heard of Samantha Ronson if she wasn't using Lindsay. She does not need distractions at this time, she needs to be left alone.

By obsidian465

You are absolutely right. The only way you can regain everything is after you lose everything.

Thursday 24 February

By RAS

Arthur..She is not a child!!!!!!!!!! She has the mentality of one but it is time for her to be accountable, regardless of poor parenting, regardless of poor choices in friends, and regardless of her inability to have self control.

By James

You people are nuts. This is the total opposite of what people are saying. They are trying to make an example out of her. I know people with WORSE of a record than hers and they have done NO JAIL TIME. If she wasn't famous she wouldn't do a day in Jail for her petty crimes.

By What?

You're fcuking crazy!

By Tony

James you are delusional to think she is being made an example of. If she was, she would still be in jail. She has a desease called addiction, and if you're an addict you display continued bad judgement...and she has...PERIOD!!!

By BK

nice to see someone on here has a brain.

By Hmmm

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I can hear it all now. Lindsay will say in return - I'll have my people call your people and have your people call my people. and, and, and,

By BTDT

"official plea bargain that includes significant jail time"

Baloney. Wanna bet she walks again?

By karsim123

Bye-Bye Lindsay

By Melanie

This little girl is never going to learn her lesson as long as they keep letting her do as she pleases.
Throw her sorry ars in jail and leave it at that. Such a loser and our courts don't help.

By Tom

I think Lindsay is being treated unfairly. All this baloney about "making an example" out of her is unjust. All of her mishaps have been typical kid crap. Child stars are often all screwed up. People hate her because she's thin and good looking. Ugly fat people and those who are related to ugly fat people just can't handle a young, good-looking girl out having a good time.

By mangan70ret

Tom = I know of several mixed up regular kids that made mistakes and PAID for them Why should a celebrity kid be any different. Get a life.

By fourlivelys

Um...yeah...we're being too hard on her for "typical teenage crap"...right...EXCEPT A typical teen caught driving drunk (as she was, and that's what started her spiral) would have her license pulled, and put on probation. A typical teen who is caught stealing? Probation, and intervention from juvenile authorities. GRAND THEFT??? State correctional school, plus extended probation after release. Drug possesion? Intervention by juvenile authorities for first offense, subsequent offenses to be sent to state correctional school. For adult offenders: Repeated offenses without remorse, as she has shown, are remanded to the state prison system. So, how are we being "too harsh"

By Victoria

Jail time for probation violation? Is she not supposed to be out after 9pm or something? They can't mean the accusation of stealing as in the US we're innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Not the tabloids. This is all getting pretty silly.

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