Probation Violation Gets Lindsay Lohan 90 Days in Jail, 90 Days in Rehab

By Jim Greene

Published on July 07, 2010

Actress Lindsay Lohan was sentenced this week to spend 90 days in jail, followed by 90 days in a residential rehabilitation center, for violating terms of her probation for a 2007 drunken driving conviction by failing to attend several alcohol-abuse counseling sessions.

The ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel did not take into account the fact that Lohan violated a recent court order not to consume alcohol during the remainder of her three-year probation. Revel called that incident a bond violation, not a probation violation.

Electronic Device Detected Alcohol in Perspiration

Lohan has been wearing an electronic anklet that detects alcohol in perspiration since ordered to do so by Revel at a May hearing. The judge said there was probable cause to believe Lohan had missed several counseling sessions and needed to be monitored. The device reported a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03 percent early last month.

Revel said Lohan had not missed a session since the May hearing. Her punishment was based on missing seven sessions during a prior 27-week period.

Before Revel's ruling, Lohan pleaded for forgiveness, saying that she took the counseling sessions seriously.

Lohan Blames Work Schedule for Missing Sessions

"I wasn't expecting any special treatment," Lohan told the court, "aside from the understanding that I have to provide for myself, I have to work. My schedule is, unfortunately, very different. Having said that, I did do everything I was told to do and did the best I could to balance jobs and showing up" to the counseling sessions.

Lohan was late arriving for the May hearing because she missed her flight home from the Cannes Film Festival. At that time, Revel issued, and later withdrew, a bench warrant for the actress.

Revel ordered Lohan to begin serving her jail sentence July 20.

Lindsay Lohan's case, though far from ordinary, shows that the punishment for being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) is serious. If you've been arrested for DUI, contact an experienced attorney who will fight for your rights as a defendant. If you're convicted, your attorney will ensure that you take advantage of every opportunity to negotiate a fair sentence.

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