Much ado about Paris

Re “Paris Hilton stunned by 45-day sentence,” May 5

So Kathy Hilton thinks that the court proceedings surrounding daughter Paris’ legal troubles are “a waste of taxpayer money.” I have to agree. If her daughter weren’t so out of touch with the real world and didn’t think that she is above the law, this whole circus wouldn’t have taken place.

I think that as a Los Angeles County taxpayer, the clueless and self-absorbed Hilton family should reimburse the county for the cost of this fiasco.

RONNY K. MARSHALL

West Hollywood

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Given that Hilton doesn’t want to go to jail and that she has sufficient resources, let’s suggest to the judge that he give her an option: $100,000 per day of jail avoided. This might have as much of an effect on her behavior as the actual time in lockup -- and even if not, the resultant $4.5 million could be used to pay some of the lawsuits caused by the cop riot in MacArthur Park. It’s time that judges get more entrepreneurial and creative in their sentencing.

STEVE DOUGHERTY

Playa del Rey

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Hilton’s 45-day jail sentence is inappropriate and possibly dangerous to her. As a retired attorney who practiced criminal law extensively, I do not buy her explanation that she was not aware of the terms of her probation. But the principle that no one is above the law does not dictate what is an appropriate sentence in upholding the law. A trial judge in a case such as the Hilton one is subject to criticism no matter what he decides, but in this case the sentence imposed is unduly harsh. The judge should recall the Hilton case on his own motion and sentence her to appropriate community service that is severe enough to deter her from any further driving while her license is suspended.

RON BAIN

Los Angeles

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I wish to personally thank Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer, City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo and the prosecution team for relieving us, for 45 days, of the ubiquitous tedium that is Paris Hilton.

LOLA GERARD

Sherman Oaks

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So Hilton’s lawyer says the reason Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail is that she was singled out because of who she is. Isn’t that what she has always sought: to be singled out because of who she is?

DENNIS ANDERSON

McMinnville, Ore.