>By the way, I saw some stats recently about how few cases actually go
>to trial now (at the state/local level as well as the federal).
>Defendants are threatened with long prison terms and encouraged to
>agree to a plea bargain, which nets them just a few years behind
>bars. Anyone see these? I can't recover them...
The Sentencing Project did a study, I think in 2000, that says 90% of (I think felony) cases never go to trial. I'll see if I can find a cite later. Paris's petition was easier to find quickly:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/PH21781/
>To:
>The Honorable Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
>
>Paris Whitney Hilton is an American celebrity and socialite. She is
>an heiress to a share of the Hilton Hotel fortune, as well as to the
>real estate fortune of her father Richard Hilton. She provides hope
>for young people all over the U.S. and the world. She provides
>beauty and excitement to (most of) our otherwise mundane lives.
>
>Hilton is notable for her leading roles on the FOX reality series
>The Simple Life and in the remake of the Vincent Price horror
>classic "House of Wax". In addition to her work as an actress, she
>has achieved some recognition as a model, celebrity spokesperson,
>singer, and writer.
>
>As most of America now knows, Ms. Hilton was just charged in a Los
>Angeles court with DUI and sentenced to 45 days in Century Regional
>Detention Facility in California beginning on or before June 5, 2007.
>
>We, the American public who support Paris, are shocked, dismayed and
>appalled by how Paris has been the person to be used as an example
>that Drunk Driving is wrong. We do not support drunk driving or DUI
>charges. Paris should have been sober. But she shouldn't go to jail, either.
>
>As depicted on Friday night's episode "Nancy Grace" on Headline News
>(May 4, 2007), countless celebrities have been "slapped on the
>wrist" for similar incidents recently. Nick Nolte, Mel Gibson, Tracy
>Morgan, Wynonna Judd, to name a few, were arrested and never did a
>day in jail after their initial arrests for drunk driving /DUI /DWI
>charges. Rappers Busta Rhymes and Eve still walk free after both
>being arrested for the same charges as Ms. Hilton just this past
>week. Brandy's California Highway accident, although no proof of DUI
>was evidenced in her accident, resulting in the death of a young
>wife and mother in California, yet Brandy walks free as of today,
>never doing any time and A WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED most likely due to
>her reckless driving!
>
>Yet, Paris Hilton did not hurt, injure, or kill anyone or anything,
>and yet she must do jail time.
>
>
>This petition is to ask Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon
>Paris Hilton for her mistake. Please allow her to her return to her
>career and life. Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill
>anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic,
>and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the
>Judge handling her case in court yesterday.She is distraught and
>understandably afraid.
>
>WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to save our Paris from ending up at the Century
>Regional Detention Facility! Please sign to tell The Honorable
>Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of the State of California, to think
>about the welfare of this young woman who has made a mortal error
>and deserves a second chance like so many others in our great nation
>have been served with after a mistake they have made . If the late
>Former President Gerald Ford could find it in his heart to pardon
>the late Former President Richard Nixon after his mistake(s), we
>undeniably support Paris Hilton being pardoned for her honest
>mistake as well, and we hope and expect The Governor will understand
>and grant this unusual but important request in good faith to Ms.
>Paris Whitney Hilton.