NEWSJudge to Lindsay Lohan: "If This Case Resolves in Front of Me, You Are Going To Jail"
Feb. 23 2011, Published 7:01 a.m. ET
Lindsay Lohan received a stern and eye-opening lecture today from Judge Keith Schwartz. He delivered a dose of harsh reality to the 24-year-old starlet, reiterating that her case involves "Jail time. Period."
"There are a couple of things you need to understand so there are no misunderstandings about anything dealing with this case," Judge Schwartz said addressing Lindsay (who became teary-eyed) in L.A. Superior Court today. "I have never met you before. One of the things you need to know about me is I treat all my defendants the same. I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan vs. John Doe or Jane Doe."
The Judge then continued to inform Lindsay about the logistics of her grand theft case.
"If this case is resolved in front of me, you are going to jail, period," Schwartz told LiLo. "If the case settles here you will be going to jail, period."
"I don't want you to be a repeat offender in the system," he added. "I want you to get on with your life."
Judge Schwartz did not say how much jail time Lindsay would do if she cops a plea.
If Lindsay pleads guilty or no contest, it is an automatic jail sentence.
Deputy D.A. Danette Meyers made a formal offer to settle the case, according to TMZ, but Lindsay's lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley, needs to read over the offer before any decisions are made. The judge indicated Lindsay's probably not going to accept the D.A.'s offer, as she wants more jail time.
If Lindsay doesn't accept a plea, she will go to trial and if found guilty she could get up to one year in prison, TMZ reports.
The judge also said he may want additional psychological information to help him deem what conditions of her probation may be appropriate, i.e. seeing a therapist weekly.
"You need a good sponsor to assist you in dealing with whatever stresser issues you have," the judge explained, noting the sponsor would be someone outside her family and friends circle. "Someone who will help you get your life back on track hopefully and to become a very productive citizen and reach the potential you have"
"You will be treated the same as everyone else," he reiterated at the end of the hearing. "No better, no worse. You need to understand that."
Lindsay is headed back to court on March 10. She has the option of pleading guilty.
Earlier this month, Lindsay was charged for felony grand theft after she was accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice, Calif. jewelry store on Jan. 22.
