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Celebrities, Just Get A Chauffeur

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

When it comes to breaking the law, the rules seem different for people with wealth and fame.

The deal that prosecutors recently reached with Kiefer Sutherland, star of the hit show '24' on Fox, only reinforces this truism.

Sutherland will serve 48 days in jail after pleading no contest earlier this month to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Though already on probation for a 2004 DUI conviction, the actor is being allowed to split his sentence in two so that production of his hit show won't be disrupted. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'The schedule allows Sutherland to serve his time ... during the Christmas break and after the show wraps its seventh season.'
Ordinary people would not have been able to strike such a sweet deal. So why are prosecutors, who are spending taxpayers' money to convict, so eager to practice celebrity justice?

A better question might be why rich celebrities don't hire limo drivers when they go out drinking.

Unless punishment is handed out equally, celebrities will never learn and confidence in our justice system will continue to erode.

Rather than treat a celebrity with kid gloves, prosecutors in the spotlight should follow the lead set by Jack Lord in 'Hawaii Five-O.'

Book-em, Dan-O.

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