5 of 32

Write now Article Tools

Nicole Richie spent exactly 82 minutes in jail for her conviction on several driving under the influence. Of course, if she had not been a highly-publicized celebrity, she would have served some meaningful time. The same day, Lindsay Lohan got no jail time at all for similar charges. Earlier in the summer, Paris Hilton spent 20 days of hard time in the same Lynwood, California, lock-up where Nicole did her brief stay.

Anyone else not so famous would have served meaningful jail time for committing such serious, and often repeated, offenses. When asked why the Hollywood bimbos were released with short or no time behind bars, the authorities said it was official policy to let "minor" offenders off to alleviate crowding. However, reporters on the scene said there were many empty cells in the women's section of Lynwood, and other prisoners were there serving from three to 24 months for similar lists of repeat offenses.

The light sentences and tabloid publicity make it all a big joke, until you stop to think of the death or injury these bimbos could have caused when they were driving on the road in their "impaired" mental and physical conditions. With the annual statistic of more than 50,000 US highway deaths, and at least 20,000 of them caused by drunk drivers, there's nothing funny about those accidents waiting to happen.

For example, among Richie's offenses was driving the wrong way on a crowded Los Angeles freeway. Hilton was arrested for driving with a suspended license while on probation for an earlier booze-influenced conviction. If California law enforcement authorities believe letting these out-of-control bimbos go back on the streets and highways with mere slaps on their well-manicured hands, they are wrong. Maybe dead wrong.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Commentary: Nicole Richie and her 82 minutes in jail?
We want to hear your view. Write now!