| Over the past few weeks we have seen Paris | | | | consequences of driving while intoxicated. Paris |
| Hilton's drama being played out very publicly. | | | | Hilton made a choice to drive while intoxicated |
| Violating probation by driving on a suspended | | | | back in September. She knew the consequences |
| license by no means would be so public for most | | | | could land her in jail. Ignorance can not be used as |
| of us. Rather, it is her celebrity status that | | | | a defense!!! She then chose to drive on a |
| brought it to the forefront of the news. | | | | suspended license and she chose to not enroll in a |
| Paris fought being incarcerated, then seemed to | | | | court ordered alcohol educational program. She, |
| accept that reality. She turned herself in and | | | | then, effectively chose the consequence of |
| entered jail peacefully. She was able to sustain | | | | incarceration. Every choice we make has a |
| incarceration for three days. During those three | | | | consequence and surely Paris knew that this |
| days she lived segregated in a 12' by 8' cell with a | | | | outcome was a possibility. This may not feel |
| bed, a sink and a toilet. She was allowed outside | | | | good, but it appears fair. It sounds as if most of |
| for one hour a day and then some time watching | | | | us could expect the same should be follow in her |
| TV. This a far cry from the mansions this | | | | footsteps. |
| celebrity was accustomed to living. | | | | In life, we all face choices every day. Those |
| After three days, Paris was released from prison | | | | choices range from simple ones such as what |
| to house confinement because of a non-specified | | | | clothes to wear that day to complicated ones |
| medical condition that incarceration worsened. | | | | such as choices in the direction their corporation is |
| Apparently it was the recommendation of her | | | | going. With every choice, there is a consequence. |
| doctor for this to happen. The sheriff, based on | | | | Unethical choices lead to negative consequences. |
| medical information, released Paris to serve her | | | | Paris made an unethical choice and she received |
| time confined within the walls of one of her | | | | her negative consequence. She compounded her |
| mansions. | | | | initial unethical choice by choosing to violate the |
| As you can imagine, there was public outcry. | | | | negative consequences. Thus, she received a |
| "Paris Hilton gets special treatment because she is | | | | more stringent negative consequence. Had she |
| a celebrity!" There were demonstrations and | | | | chosen to respect the consequences of her initial |
| angry letters sent to the judge. How dare she be | | | | behavior, this drama she is enduring would be |
| given "special treatment"!!! Many were ready to | | | | non-existent and she would be experiencing |
| hang her, hang the sheriff and hang the judge! | | | | positive results. It appears that Paris Hilton |
| The perception was that she was a celebrity and | | | | created her outcome. Had she followed the law to |
| this "release" was unfair. After all would any of us | | | | begin with, all this "suffering" would be a non-issue. |
| in a similar situation get the same treatment? | | | | Having said that, I also believe there is the |
| Amidst Paris' crying, her outcries, the judge | | | | concept of mercy. If she indeed has a medical |
| sentenced her back to prison to complete her | | | | condition that jail worsens, then perhaps an |
| 45-day confinement. The judge refused to hear | | | | alternative incarceration is called for such as would |
| any testimony regarding the alleged medical | | | | be true for a mere commoner such as myself. If |
| condition of Paris, and none was submitted to the | | | | it is a psychiatric condition, send her to a |
| court. He appeared unsympathetic to her pleas | | | | psychiatric hospital. From what I understand, it is |
| and the pleas of her attorney. He was concerned | | | | no picnic there either. However, having to do |
| that public trust in the court was violated by | | | | incarceration in a mansion is hardly punishment. |
| those actions. Paris was lead away crying and | | | | Having been to Federal Prison, I understand the |
| screaming. The paparazzi surrounded her and | | | | despair at being locked up in a cell. Those first |
| there was no privacy. | | | | few days are the worse. It is the initial separation |
| So, here is the $64,000 question just as Paris is | | | | from family, it is the final ripping away of the |
| facing release - was Paris treated fairly? Most | | | | illusions of success. You are only left with who |
| people felt that she was getting special treatment | | | | you are and if you don't know who you are, then |
| because she was a wealthy celebrity. Others felt, | | | | it is very frightening. I can truly identify with the |
| because they were her fans, that they didn't | | | | sense of isolation and despondency Paris has gone |
| want her in prison because, after all, she was their | | | | through. I was not a celebrity, but I had been a |
| idol - Paris Hilton. They felt she was being treated | | | | very successful partner in a CPA firm. I had all |
| unfairly. There is a third view. If Paris Hilton had | | | | the illusions of success. I had made it, I thought. |
| been Mary Smith, anonymous, would she have | | | | However, I made an unethical choice of stealing |
| been released to do home incarceration? | | | | money from my clients which lead to my |
| According to Sheriff Baca (the sheriff in Paris' | | | | negative consequences. I did it all by myself. I |
| case), she would have. It is because of her | | | | didn't intend to be incarcerated. I didn't intend to |
| celebrity status, that she is not having the same | | | | harm my family, but I did both. Yes, those first |
| consideration as a "commoner". | | | | few days were the worst as I finally faced the |
| Let's step aside from the emotions and take the | | | | reality of myself. |
| role of an observer. An observer is not tied to | | | | Prison was an experience I would never want to |
| any outcome. It is only the observation of the | | | | repeat. However, I grew as a person and as a |
| event. Paris Hilton was arrested on September 8 | | | | man as a result of that experience. I would not |
| in California for allegedly driving while intoxicated. | | | | be where I am today without the experience, |
| She was sentenced to 36 months of probation, | | | | unfortunately. If Paris chooses, she could learn |
| alcohol education, and fines. Her license was | | | | about her self, her values, and choices. She may |
| suspended. Paris failed to enroll in an alcohol | | | | come out on the other side knowing more about |
| program and drove on a suspended license and | | | | herself and what is truly important and what is |
| was pulled over two times and lied each time. | | | | not. Moreover, she may use the experience to |
| There is much publicity about driving while | | | | help others understand clearly the effects that |
| intoxicated. We all hear the horror stories and see | | | | choices have. |
| the results. We all know the possible legal | | | | |