In the latest twist in Lindsay Lohan's necklace-stealing, grand-theft debacle, a judge told the troubled starlet: Take a plea deal, and I'll toss you in jail. Christine Pelisek reports.
A
Los Angeles Superior Court judge tersely told
'Mean Girls' actress
Lindsay Lohan Wednesday that he'll toss her in jail if she decides to take a plea deal offer by prosecutors.
Related story on The Daily Beast: The Jailbird's New Handbag Line
Judge Keith Schwartz said Lohan, who was stylishly dressed in a low-cut black blouse and beige high-waisted trousers, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, would have to plead guilty or no contest to charges that she
stole a $2,500 necklace from a trendy jewelry boutique in Venice Beach. It's unclear what the plea deal offered by prosecutors entails.
"This case does involve jail time -- period," said Schwartz. "If you plead guilty in front of me -- if this case resolves in front of me -- You are going to jail. Period. There may be an issue with how much time."
If Lohan decides against the prosecutors deal, the case will be set for a preliminary hearing with another judge. Lohan must make her decision by her next court date on March 10. Schwartz said he suspects that Lohan and her attorney, Shawn Holley, will reject the deal.
According to the judge, all of the police evidence, including surveillance footage and police reports, were handed over to Holley before the 8:30 a.m. hearing.
During the short hearing, Schwartz said he plans to treat Lohan like any other defendant in his courtroom. "I treat everyone the same," he said. "I don't care if you are
Lindsay Lohan...I don't want you to be a repeat offender. I want you to move on in your life and quit causing yourself and family additional stress that is not necessary."
Schwartz said that Lohan should receive psychological counseling to help her cope with "stressors" and a trustworthy sponsor -- not a member of her family -- who will not be "moved by anything other than seeing you succeed."
"You need someone who will help you stay away from substance abuse issues and alcohol issues and help you get on track to be a productive citizen and reach the potential you have," he said.
"Do you understand?" he asked.
"Yes, your honor," replied Lohan, quietly sifting through court papers.
Lindsay's father,
Michael, who was sitting in the front row sandwiched between the owners of
Inspirations for Youth and Families, a teen rehab clinic where he works as a consultant, told The Daily Beast that Lohan should not take a deal.
"[Store staff] gave her a necklace to wear and promote and when it showed up in the paper after three days and the store wasn't mentioned they got pissed off and reported it stolen," he said.
Lohan, who said his daughter was at the store with two other friends who plan to testify on her behalf if the case goes to court, claimed that the police report of the incident gave three different accounts of what happened. He also claimed that he had a witness who saw the same "one of a kind" necklace on sale at the same store for $800, which would make the charge a misdemeanor petty theft and not a felony. "It was a misunderstanding," he said. "I think the value of the necklace was trumped up. The whole situation is trumped up. She has worked hard on her recovery. It saddens me...The truth is going to come out and she will be vindicated."
Lohan arrived at the airport courthouse with her mother, Dina, and her brother,
Michael Jr. Lohan's parents, who did not acknowledge each other in the courtroom, sat five seats from each other. After the court hearing,
Michael Lohan became enraged when his ex-wife allegedly told a bailiff to stop him from getting on the elevator with her and Lindsay. "She is evil," he barked.
SO IF SHE PLEADS GUILTY SHE IS GOING TO JAIL. SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF HER. OH WELL, GUESS SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE STOLEN THE NECKLACE. JUST SAYING................
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