Timing has always been an issue for Lindsay Lohan, who arrived 48 minutes late for her scheduled hearing at an L.A. courthouse March 18. The Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen actress had traveled from New York City to L.A. via private jet, which was diverted from Van Nuys airport to LAX in an effort to minimize Lindsay’s vehicular commute.
Upon her tardy arrival, Lindsay and her attorney, Mike Heller, were showered with glitter as photographers swarmed the courthouse. (The star was similarly doused with sparkles when she appeared in court on July 20, 2010.) Clad in a white and pink ensemble, the 26-year-old star was escorted to the restroom by six police officers midway through her hearing.
The Mean Girls actress faced misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, providing false information to a police officer and willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying a police officer — all while on probation for shoplifting. The charges stem from a June 18, 2012 car accident in which Lindsay’s Porsche rear-ended a truck while she was en route to the Liz & Dick set. At the time of the accident, the actress claimed her assistant, Gavin Doyle, was behind the wheel.
In her latest legal sentencing, the troubled starlet accepted a plea deal that requires her to receive psychological counseling for 18 months; she will be credited for two months already served. Lindsay is also required to enter a 90-day residential treatment program. There is a mandatory five days in jail sentence for reckless driving, but it will be folded into her required rehab sentence. Lindsay must also complete 30 days of community labor, which may be done in New York.
Lindsay must also pay a $240 restitution fine and $30 criminal conviction assessment fee, in addition to paying restitution to the victim; that amount will be determined at her next court hearing on May 2. Per the terms of her plea deal, the Herbie: Fully Loaded star was reminded that she cannot drive with any measurable amount of drugs or alcohol in her system, or without a valid license and insurance.
As Heller discussed specifics of the plea, Lindsay repeatedly whispered, “don’t say anything” and “shut up” to her legal counsel. Lindsay also admitted to violating her probation in the jewelry heist case, for which she was sentenced to 180 days in jail. That sentence was stayed and she won’t end up behind bars if she continues to obey all laws.
Lindsay does not have to be present for any future compliance hearings, so long as she is in compliance. “I understand,” she told the judge. When her legal team appears in court May 2, they must provide a progress report on her counseling and proof of enrollment in a residential treatment program. A hearing for her community labor will be set after she leaves rehab.
“A suggestion: don’t drive. You’re in New York. You don’t need to drive,” the judge told Lindsay. “This is it. You violate your probation and we’re not going to be having discussions about putting you back on probation in either case.”
Lindsay’s estranged father, Michael Lohan, also attended the court hearing with his own attorney, David Wohl. “I’m not at all comfortable with the poor representation she is getting right now,” Michael explained on Sunday, March 17. “My daughter’s freedom and future are at stake, and I’m doing what any father would do would in this dire situation.”
