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Lindsay Lohan Will Face Judge Friday, Has Had an "Epiphany," Says Her Attorney

In advance of her court hearing on Friday, LiLo's attorney opens up to E! News about his client's efforts to turn her life around

By Josh Grossberg, Ken Baker Feb 27, 2013 9:16 PMTags
Lindsay LohanStephen Lovekin//WireImage

Everything's coming to a head for Lindsay Lohan, if you ask her attorney.

The embattled starlet's new defense counsel, Mark Heller, tells E! News that he expects Lohan to appear in court on Friday in her ongoing probation-violation case.

"At this point, we do believe she will be in court with me," Heller says.

As for what the hearing will entail, the lawyer promises "there will be a lot unfolding," but he predicted things will shake out in Lohan's favor because she had an "epiphany" about seriously turning her life around once and for all.

"This has happened to Lindsay. Considering all that this girl has been through...It has really traumatized her," said Heller. "When she was handcuffed and put into detention center with murderers and hardened criminals, it for sure had a great impact on her. And then being re-arrested and facing going back to jail caused her to have an epiphany. Some times the cumulative effect of everything in your life percolates and you have a realization and a clarity that things have to change."

To help facilitate that change, the legal eagle filed a motion on Friday asking a judge to put the case on the "slow track" and detailed the positive steps the 26-year-old Mean Girls star is taking to get her life in order—like attending psychotherapy sessions and performing public service.

And according to Heller, there appears to be "somewhat of an outpouring of more sympathetic people" as a result.

"People are happy that we are trying to facilitate this turn around in her life. That is very encouraging and I am hopeful that we can follow through," he added.

Heller remarked that the L.A. City Attorney's Office is "looking at [Lindsay's case] very carefully," having dealt with the actress' run-ins with the law for several years now.

"They have to determine how they feel justice will best be served," said the lawyer. "Lindsay no longer resides in California. She resides full time in New York. They are reconsidering everything. When we meet on Friday, they will have assessed their thinking. Hopefully when we come together on Friday, we will have some appropriate resolution."

However Heller told E! News that if the case isn't resolved, he's prepared to "vigorously" defend Lohan, who's accused of violating her probation. He's also seeking the dismissal of three misdemeanor charges the thespian is facing, including lying to a police officer, stemming from her June, 2012 Porsche crash.

"Frankly, I am focusing more now on what might be in her best interests in going forward in her life," admitted Heller. "If we went forward with the trial and charges are dismissed we still have the issue of probation violation, so that is also something that has to be considered."

Heller also noted Lindsay's got a separate assault case in New York pending, which resulted from her arrest for allegedly punching a woman at a nightclub in November.

When asked by E! News what exact changes Lohan is making, he confirmed she's started psychotherapy and looking at charitable work.

"The things we are exploring are going to a hospital setting and working with young girls and trying to cheer them up and encourage them to have confidence that their health will improve and have hope," Heller said. "And going to schools and giving inspirational speeches and encouraging young people to make the right choices."

Among her public service options, he added that she's interested and ready to do PSAs addressing issues like driving under the influence and domestic violence.

For the latest on Lohan's legal drama, be sure to tune in this Friday to E! News' live stream of the hearing which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. PT.