Celebrity Justice
Sheriff vs. Judge in Michelle Rodriguez Case

A war of sorts seems to be erupting between the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and some L.A. County judges on the subject of incarcerated celebs.

"Lost" star Michelle Rodriguez was released yesterday, after serving only 10% of her sentence. With a partial last day, that computes to 18 days in the pokey. The judge who sentenced her for a DUI-related probation violation had ordered that she fully serve her 180-day sentence. So why did the Sheriff do it?

Rodriguez's uber-lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley appeared in court yesterday where the judge expressed her displeasure about the plan to release Rodriguez early, but ultimately said the Sheriff controlled the jail. The judge made it clear -- she wanted Michelle in the slammer for her sentence.

But law enforcement sources say the Sheriff felt he had to treat Rodriguez the way he treats every other female inmate. Because of severe overcrowding, the standard is to release everyone after they serve 10% of their time. Even though the judge drew the line in the sand and demanded the full nine yards, the Sheriff felt equality was more important.

We're told the judge knew what the Sheriff was doing before Michelle was sprung. You'll recall the Sheriff had a standoff with the judge in the Paris Hilton case as well. It's the new court craze!

Filed under: Celebrity Justice

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 4)Previous 15 Comments

46. "Paris should sue... put whatever spin you like on it she was treated different than other prisoners when it comes to how long she had to remain in jail. She had served 10 percent and then was sent back to jail to continue her sentence. She was never offered release for having served 10 percent as were all other inmates. She was discriminated against and all the spin about how she was treated or what she was there for is crap. All the Kiefer stuff is also crap, he chose to spend his time in a private jail and knew up front that the early release did not apply to private jails.

Posted at 1:39PM on Jan 10th 2008 by Stump"

I completely agree with you. I think it's completely wrong how they handled Paris' case. You don't have to like the woman but I think people should be able to admit it isn't the least bit fair how they treated her. It's normal, standard protocol for people to be released after serving 10% of their time. Paris had served her 10% and then they sent her back, what the crap?! The judge was completely biased against her and that isn't fair. Judges are supposed to be impartial. Also why is it no one really threw a fit when Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie got out after serving not even a day, but yet everyone was all up in arms over Paris? But anyways celebs shouldn't be treated any worse than the normal Joe like I said before.

Posted at 10:00PM on Jan 10th 2008 by Ashlee

47. #13 I cannot believe you would put drinking and driving in the same category as rape and murder. you are perverse. DUIs are stupid, but they are no comparison to such horrific crimes!

THE 10% RULE ONLY APPLIES TO PEOPLE SENTENCED TO 180 DAYS OR LESS WHO ARE NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS. AND IT APPLIES TO ***EVERYBODY*** AS IT IS A STATE LAW GRANTED RIGHT.

Michelle Rodriguez chose general population over isolation because she didn't want special treatment. She also ASKED to work in there so she could contribute. Guards have said how great she was in there unlike most celebs they've encountered. Her combined good behavior and right to early release from overcrowding due to the statement in all caps above is why she was released.

Everybody your facts right before you flip. This was NOT celebrity treatment, this was NOT a pay off, this was NOT a case of pulled strings. It was a case of justice being served and a woman doing the right thing and reaping something good in return (a quick release). It's over now, and she'll probably be good to go from now on with no more issues. Her DUIs hurt no one, she's paid her dues. Everyone should just move on.

Posted at 11:04PM on Jan 10th 2008 by PT-Fine

48. what a frickin joke. Guarantee she'll drive drunk again. At least Kiefer is taking it like a resposible adult and not whining and crying about it. It scares me to know that I have to share the roads with people like her.

Posted at 9:06AM on Jan 11th 2008 by phoebe

49. This happy news has made my day. I hope everything goes well for you now. Would love for you to come back to TV in 24.

Posted at 2:47PM on Jan 13th 2008 by Joan

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