CELEBRITY 'JUSTICE' IMBALANCED

Millions of people are sentenced to prison correctional facilities
every year because a variety of criminal charges, but Lindsay Lohan
walks away unfettered from cocaine possession due to her fame and
fortune. What kind of message is this sending to society?

Many celebrities over the years have used their fame and success as a
way of avoiding actual consequences for their reckless behavior. Their
carefree conduct and persuasive personalities have repeatedly factored
over the years in various cases. Whether it's O.J. Simpson's murder
trial or Hugh Grant's prostitute scandal, the justice system seems to
favor these rich individuals by merely giving them a warning before
patting them on the head and releasing them back into society. Both of
these gentlemen and many more celebrities have been acquitted of all
charges against them and set free, but the justice system finally has
began to crack it's crude whip on celebrities such as Martha Stewart,
Paris Hilton and most recently, Michael Vick.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is currently fighting for his
freedom and innocence in the court room; however, if convicted, Vick
could be fined $250,000 for interstate commerce, and sentenced to one
year in prison along with an additional $100,000 fine for the
dogfighting charge. Vick's animal cruelty case has caused worldwide
controversy involving whether or not the judicial system is taking
celebrity justice too far when in reality the judicial system is just
beginning to take charge. Vick knew that what he was doing was wrong
and continued to proceed; therefore, he committed a crime and is
ultimately responsible for his own actions and poor decisions.

By 'excusing' celebrities of breaking the law, the legal system is
sending average citizens the wrong message. Perhaps it is quite
acceptable to carry a baggie of cocaine around while shoplifting at a
nearby department store or maybe it's alright to drive under the
influence of alcohol and endanger innocent lives.

Without order there is chaos, and chaos can lead to destruction.
Therefore, the unbalanced scale of celebrity justice and injustice is
desperately in need of tipping.

When Stewart and Hilton were sentenced to time behind bars, many
people became outraged about their images being tainted, while others
proceeded to flaunt gigantic smiles across their faces. Clearly, it
was about time someone knocked both Stewart and Hilton off of their
high horses and brought them back down to reality. Hilton was
repeatedly warned not to violate her probation or operate an
automobile on a suspended license, but like most celebrities, she
persisted with her audacious behavior.

When it came time for sentencing, apparently the only thing Hilton
felt was remorse, but the judge apparently grew tired of her lawyer's
concocted plea and slammed the gavel, making history.

By taking action against delinquent celebrities, the legal system has
finally began to bestow the equality of social class on the United
States and its citizens. Average people are now celebrating the fact
that celebrities are beginning to receive proper punishment for their
actions. Article 1 of the Untied States Constitution states that all
human beings are born free and 'equal' in dignity and rights.
Apparently this statement that has been left intact since the first
draft of the Constitution has been completely forgotten. Celebrities
are human beings that do not deserve any special treatment in society
or in the courtroom, and even though these two judges felt punishment
was suitable for Stewart and Hilton, many other judges proceed to work
around jail time for convenience of the stars.

When average people are charged with possession of a controlled
substance or have simply committed a criminal act there is a good
chance that they will serve a prison term. Lohan's failure to be tried
on her counts of cocaine possession really irritated many people
because the evidence was practically irrefutable. In fact, the law
states that anyone with a first offense possession of any narcotics
such as heroin, crack or cocaine is required to pay a $50,000 fine and
can face up to seven years in prison. Nevertheless, "Mean Girls" star
Lohan, held down the word "vomit" this time as she repeatedly stated
the cocaine was not hers. This statement and ignorance of those around
her allowed her to be cleared of all of the cocaine charges. People
could barely believe their ears when they heard that Lohan was
released on a rehabilitation agreement proposed by the judge.

In reaction to Lohan's slap on the wrist, a blog, "The Superficial,"
lashed out at the young Hollywood star and the legal system by stating
that "Lohan could roll up the Constitution and use it to snort a
mile-long line of coke in front of the entire Supreme Court and still
would not get charged with possession."

Perhaps expensive lawyers and high-status careers cater to celeb
invincibility, but their power and control over Hollywood Boulevard
will not always affect their future in the courtroom. By sacrificing a
few selected celebrities, the justice system has proven it's
dedication to balancing authority, but the question still remains;
will celebrity justice continued to be served?