'I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan': Judge tells actress she will serve jail time if she accepts plea deal in grand theft case

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

More time behind bars? Lindsay Lohan, pictured arriving at a Los Angeles courthouse today, has been told she will serve jail time if she pleads guilty in her grand theft case


Mean Girls star has until March 10 to decide if she will accept plea deal or go to trial


Lindsay Lohan has been told in no uncertain terms she will face jail time if she pleads guilty in her grand theft case.

The actress appeared in court today for a hearing on a felony charge alleging that she stole a $2,500 necklace from a Venice jewellery shop last month.

The 24-year-old actress, who is free on $40,000 bail, was charged February 9 with grand theft involving the necklace that was allegedly taken from Kamofie & Company on January 22.

Lindsay, whose skin-tight Kimberly Ovitz dress was deemed inappropriate for court by fashion critics two weeks ago, this time swapped a high hemline for a low neckline.

She strutted into the Los Angeles Airport Branch Courthouse just before the 8.30am hearing wearing a plunging Chanel top, white pants, YSL heels, Lanvin clutch and Tres Glam jewellery. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail.


In trouble with the law... again: The actress is accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace


Lohan's lawyer Shawn Holley and prosecutor Danette Meyers discussed a possible plea bargain for about 30 minutes in the judges chambers before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz addressed Lohan.

She now has until March 10 to decide whether to go to jail or go to trial and face a possibly much more severe sentence.

The case was allowed to be continued because Shawn Holley said she had not received video tapes of the alleged incident from District Attorney Danette Meyers.

Judge Schwartz said: 'By settle the case I mean plead guilty or no contest to the charge and also violation of probation.


Legal team: Lindsay was again joined in court by her lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley


'Miss Lohan there are a couple of things you need to understand so there is absolutely no misunderstandings about anything dealing with this case.

'I never met you before the last court appearance, you never met me. One of the things about me is that I treat everyone the same. I don't care you are Lindsay Lohan versus John Doe or Jane Doe.'

The judge acknowledged there had been much speculation regarding what might happen to the actress in the press.

He said: 'I'm just going to tell you a couple of things that if the case settles in this court will happen.


Family affair: Dina Lohan and her son arrived for the hearing


'This case does involve jail time. Period. If this case is resolved in front of me - you are going to jail. Period.

'Now there may be an issue as to the amount of time that you go to and that's why a judge has discretion in sentencing.

'But if it settles here I don't want you under any apprehension, you will be going to jail period.

'Number two - If the case does not settle in my court it will be set for preliminary hearing in front of Judge Sautner.

'Judge Sautner will also be doing the probation violation at the same time as the preliminary hearing. If you are held to answer, if you are in violation then Judge Sautner will impose sentence.

'The ability at that time to have more input could be lessened.

'Finally, if the case resolves in this courtroom I would allow your attorney to have a formal sentencing hearing.

'She could argue what she believes an appropriate sentencing hearing.
'But there is going to be jail time in this case.

Judge Schwartz said he would consider sending Lohan into probation that would involve psychological counselling.

He said: 'I don't want you to be a repeat offender in the system. I want you go get on with your life and reach whatever potential you have and move on and quit causing you family and people around you additional stress, which is unnecessary.


Support: Lindsay's father Michael Lohan also arrived for the hearing


'I have indicated I would like additional psychological information. If the case is resolved you would potentially be ordered into additional psychological counselling who will be able to help you with the stresses in your life.


LINDSAY LOHAN TRIAL ~~TMZ



Lindsay Lohan's Courtroom Smackdown


source: dailymail [endtext]