Paris Hilton Pleads Not Guilty

By: Shannon Gossage

Hilton was arrested September 7 in Hollywood after she was spotted driving erratically a little after midnight. Allegedly officers felt that Hilton "exhibited symptoms of intoxication" and a field sobriety test was given at the scene. Hilton reportedly scored 0.08 on the Brethalyzer test that is the minimum blood alcohol level to warrant an arrest according to California law. Hilton was booked at the station on suspicion of a misdemeanor DUI. She was released an hour and a half after her arrest.

Her rep Elliot Mintz said at the time, Paris regrets the entire event. It was personally humiliating for her; she’s not taking it lightly or frivolously." Hilton called into Ryan Seacrest’s radio show the following day to defend herself. She claimed that she had been on the set filming her new music video and hadn’t eaten anything all day. She then attended a charity event and had only one margarita. Mintz claims that Hilton’s "symptoms" were "probably the result of an empty stomach and working all day and being fatigued."

Hilton was charged with DUI and driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. She has entered the not guilty plea and her next court date is set for January 23. Lawrence Taylor, an attorney based in Los Angeles and a DUI expert, reportedly said, "At this point, I expect the L.A. city attorney will eventually offer her a plea bargain to a lesser charge in which she’ll do no jail time, no community service, and just pay a fine." A slap on the wrist as usual…