14 DAY TRIAL // Lindsay Lohan was in court again on charges of grand theft and parole violation, after she reportedly stole a $2,500 gold necklace in January this year. Before setting the date for a new hearing, Judge Keith Schwartz let her know that, regardless of how this plays out, she will be doing jail time.
The only thing that’s now open to debate is how much time that will be, depending on whether she settles the case with the DA or chooses to plead guilty or no contest.
If Lindsay and her attorney choose to have this play out in court, the case will be transferred to another judge, but she will still do jail time, perhaps even one year in a state penitentiary, Judge Schwartz told her.
TMZ live-streamed the hearing, having the camera focus solely on Lindsay Lohan, so that her reaction to the judge’s words could be seen. Video is here.
“I’ve never met you before [your last hearing]. I treat all people the same. Number One, this case does involve jail time,” Judge Schwartz told Lindsay.
At these words, a shadow passed across the actress’ face, prompting speculation in the blogosphere that she was probably still hoping she could walk out of this without going to prison.
“If you plead in front of me, if this is resolved in front of me, you are going to jail, period. If the case settles here, you will be going to jail,” the judge further said.
“Number Two, if this case doesn’t resolve here… Judge Sautner will impose sentence. There is going to be jail time in this case, the issue is what it is,” he added.
He also said that, because of Lindsay’s track record and previous encounters with the law, he did not want her to walk, he wanted her to do time in prison so that she could put this past her and get back to her life.
“I don’t want you getting back into the system… I want you to reach whatever potential you have and move on,” he said.
Judge Schwartz also informed Lohan and her attorney that she would probably have to see a therapist as part of a new probation and in order to offer the court a proper psychological evaluation.
“You need to get a reliable trustworthy and reasonable sponsor unrelated to any of your family members. I need somebody unrelated to you who is not moved by seeing anything other than you succeed,” he said.
He then set the next hearing for March 10, by which time Lohan and her attorney must also decide on what stance they will be taking in court as regards the grand theft charge.