In court Friday for a preliminary hearing on allegations she stole a $2,500 necklace from an L.A. boutique in January, Lindsay Lohan ended up behind bars for five hours and sentenced to 120 days in jail, for violating her probation. Lohan’s lawyers plan to appeal the jail sentence, but the actress must immediately start serving 480 hours of community service. Judge Stephanie Sautner did not buy the defense argument that Lohan absentmindedly walked out of the Venice jewelry store wearing the necklace and forgot to return it. The actress did catch a break when Sautner downgraded the charges from felony grand theft to a misdemeanor, a decision that prosecutors plan to appeal. Lohan’s hearing on the theft charges is set for May 11.
Before court adjourned, prosecutors argued that Lohan should be jailed for violating her probation, and the judge agreed. Taken into custody immediately, the actress reportedly showed “no emotion†as sheriff’s deputies ‘cuffed her and took her onto a bus bound for the Lynwood Correctional Facility, a routine that’s practically old hat by now. After spending a grand total of five hours behind bars, the actress was let out on $75,000 bail. Meanwhile, Judge Sautner sounded almost impressed with Lohan’s proclivity for trouble: “[The necklace] was in fact hidden in plain sight and she walked out of the store,†the judge said. “It’s brazenness … it’s … I don’t know what it is.â€
Lindsay Lohan out on bail but still faces 120 days in jail [NYP]
Lindsay Lohan released from jail after posting $75,000 bond [CNN]