ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>OnlineColumnist®.com: Putin Punishes Georgia</title> <meta name="generator" content="Adobe GoLive 4"> <style type="text/css"> .style3 { height: 68px; } .MsoNormal {} h1 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style4 { font-size: large; font-weight: bold; font-family: Arial; } .style6 { height: 69px; } h2 {margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; } .style7 { width: 133px; } .style8 { font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; } </style> </head> <body bgcolor="white" vlink="black"> <center> &nbsp;<table cool width="624" height="2719" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" gridx="16" showgridx gridy="16" showgridy> <tr> <td height="118" rowspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0" class="style7"> <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="110" width="62" src="images/discobolos.logo.transp.gif" border="0"></a></td> <td width="7" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="482" colspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="140" class="style6"><img height="75" width="450" src="images/banner.GIF"></td> <td width="1" height="118" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" class="style6"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="79"></td> </tr> <tr height="39"> <td width="182" height="39"></td> <td width="300" height="39" valign="top" align="left" xpos="322"><a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="14" width="267" src="images/divisionofNEW.GIF" border="0"></a></td> <td width="1" height="39"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="39"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="624" colspan="6" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0" class="style3"> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="black" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#99ffcc" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td align="center"> <div align="left"> <a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> HOME</strong></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> &#8226; <a href="articlesindex.html">ARTICLES</a> &#8226; <a href="books.html">BOOKS</a> &#8226; <a href="teflon.html"> THE </a><a href="teflon.html">TEFLON</a><a href="teflon.html"> REPORT</a> &#8226; <a href="mailto:letters@onlinecolumnist.com"> REACTIONS</a> &#8226; <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">ABOUT DISCOBOLOS</a></strong></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr height="2"> <td height="2" class="style7"></td> <td width="489" height="2576" colspan="3" rowspan="2" align="left" xpos="133" content valign="top" csheight="2573"> <p class="style4">Lohan Sentenced by Broken Justice System</p> <p><b><font face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica">by John M. Curt</font></b><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b>is<a href="books.html"><br> </a></b></font><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b> (310) 204-8700</b></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><i>Copyright July 7, 2010<br>All Rights Reserved. </i></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <bAbout the Author</u> <p class="MsoNormal"> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="style8">T</span>hrowing the book at 24-year old actress Lindsay Lohan, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Marsha N. Revel highlighted a broken judicial system, grandstanding in high-profile celebrity trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Ever since the 1995 O.J. Simpson Trial, judicial showboating has become the rule of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Television audiences around the globe watched Superior Court Judge Lance Ito play to the cameras and turn the courtroom on its head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When Paris Hilton was sentenced May 4, 2007 to 45 days in county jail by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer, it shocked many people seeing alternatives to jail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While Paris served only 23 days, putting her away served no purpose other than grandstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Few, if any, thought Paris marginal DUI and minor probation violations warranted jail-time Like Paris, had Lindsay not been a celebrity, she probably would have gotten probation. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Revel insisted that Lohan lied repeatedly to the court about her participation in alcohol treatment following two drunk-driving convictions in 2007.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> There were a number of instances of [Lohan] not taking things seriously, said Revel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> It s like someone who cheats but doesn t think it s cheating if they don t get caught, said Revel, revealing the twisted logic for Lohan s harsh sentencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Revel s battered ego had no choice but to lash out at the flashy Hollywood actress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Justice isn t served when the punishments don t fit the crimes, especially where drugs or alcohol are concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whether or not Linday had two DUI s but somehow, because of work commitments, couldn t fulfill the exact terms of her probation, doesn t warrant such excessive punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While she deserves a stiff fine or more probation sending her to jail serves no one other than the judge s ego.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Revel meted out three 30-day sentences and ordered Lindsay to spend 90 days in a lockdown drug rehab facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whatever the so-called probation violations, Revel knows that they don t warrant jail-time but rather a sensible approach toward<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>rehabilitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>With her current frenzied work-schedule, Revel should show less umbrage and more judicial temperance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Had prosecutors vocally accused Lindsay of  lying and deceit, a responsible judge would have sustained objections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Accusing the actress of  lying and deceit assumes facts not in evidence, warranting strong objections, accept for the fact that it s the judge acting inappropriately, not prosecutors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When judges act inappropriately or overstep their authority, there s still recourse from the supervising judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Grandstanding or playing to cameras can t be at the expense of justice.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Celebrity justice today reflects the excessively harsh punishment meted out by publicity-seeking judges to make examples out of celebrities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not only do celebrities face unduly harsh sentences they expect judges to play to the cameras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> As far as I knew, I was in compliance with my programs, Lohan told the court, only to a skeptical judge, more upset and overreacting about misunderstandings and content to make accusations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> I wasn t trying to get special treatment, said Lindsay, not realizing that the judge assured that she would indeed get far harsher treatment than she deserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Revel can t explain how jail-time serves either an overcrowded prison system or nonviolent drug or alcohol-related offenders in need to rehab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Throwing the book at Lohan gives Revel some cheap headlines but doesn t serve anyone s justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Lohan is expected to serve around a quarter of her 90-day sentence.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Lindsay s harsh sentencing gives a boost to supporters of California s attempt to legalize marijuana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> While there s controversy over the benefits of marijuana, there s no controversy when it comes to wasting precious tax revenue on nonviolent alcoholics and drug users.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>California s massive budget deficits aren t helped by an exploding prison system, busting at the seams with nonviolent drug-related offenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Watching Revel throw the book at Lindsay speaks volumes about the need to restrain judges from arbitrary and capricious sentencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While Paris Hilton s 2007 sentence was disgraceful, Lohan s breaks new ground for exploiting celebrities to wind up face-to-face on  Larry King Live. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Better checks and balances need to be built into the judicial system to prevent more abuses of judicial authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No judge should seek publicity at the expense of criminal defendants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Celebrity justice requires more judicial restraint and less grandstanding before the cameras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Unduly harsh sentences serve no one other that the judge s grandiosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Lohand deserved a reprimand, fines, perhaps more probation but not serving time in county jail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While prosecutors didn t recommend Pavel s harsh sentencing, they insisted Lindsay ignored the Dec. 2009 court order to attend at least one DUI class a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Not once, but seven times she did not complied with this court s orders, said Deputy DA Danetted Meyers, nitpicking about dates and times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whether or not Lindsay completed weekly DUI classes, she was still on schedule to complete her mandatory requirement by the July 15 deadline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> She s gotten it together, said Defense Atty. Shawn Chapman Marashall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Locking Lindsay up gives Revel some fleeting fame but gives the criminal justice system another black eye.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <b>John M. Curtis </b>writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He&#x2019;s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of <a href="books.html">Dodging The Bullet</a> and <a href="books.html">Operation Charisma</a>.</p> </td> <td width="1" height="2576" rowspan="2"></td> <td width="1" height="2"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2"></td> </tr> <tr height="2574"> <td height="2574" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0" class="style7"><img height="172" width="111" src="images/johninframe3.jpg"></td> <td width="1" height="2574"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="2574"></td> </tr> <tr height="1" cntrlrow> <td height="1" class="style7"><spacer type="block" width="133" height="1"></td> <td width="7" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="7" height="1"></td> <td width="182" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="182" height="1"></td> <td width="300" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="300" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="597"> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica"> <hr noshade size="1"> </font><a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> Homecobolos> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">©1999-2005 <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"> Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.</a><br> (310) 204-8300<br> All Rights Reserved. </font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </body> </html>