Paris Pleads No Contest
Guess Paris Hilton's tummy wasn't so empty after all.
The heiress, who claimed her DUI bust of last year was merely a matter of her motoring around in a Mercedes-Benz while in the act of being "really hungry," pleaded no contest Monday to one count of alcohol-related reckless driving, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office said.
A judge placed the 25-year-old Hilton, who was not present in the L.A. courtroom, on 36 months probation, and ordered her to pay a $390 fine, plus penalties, City Attorney's Office spokesman Frank Mateljan said.
Hilton rep Elliot Mintz estimated to E! News that the total court-assessed price tag would come to $1,450—a presumed small price to pay.
"Paris told me she is happy the matter is over," Mintz said.
Should Hilton wish to put her Simple Life work skills to use, she can knock down her probation time down to 24 months upon the completion of 40 hours of community service.
The single charge to which Hilton copped a plea is a downgrade from the two more serious DUI charges that she pleaded not guilty to last week.
Prosecutors offered Hilton's lawyers the deal, Mateljan said. By accepting it, the star and her camp avoided a scheduled Tuesday pretrial hearing on the DUI charges.
Hilton's legal troubles began last Sept. 7, when she was arrested shortly after departing a Hollywood charity concert in a Mercedes-Benz SLR.
Reports said Hilton was spotted driving in an erratic fashion and, after being stopped, hitting 0.08 on a Breathalyzer test. (California law defines drunkenness as having a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or above.)
Hours after the arrest, Hilton, seemingly unaware she'd been arrested, called Ryan Seacrest's radio show to say the whole drama was "nothing."
"Everything I do is blown out of proportion," Hilton said. "It really hurts my feelings."
Per Hilton, she'd had one margarita at the charity bash, jumped into her car ("which is a little fast") and headed off in search of sustenance.
Hilton dismissed the notion that she was intoxicated, or that she was driving as if she were intoxicated.
"I was just really hungry, and wanted to have an In-N-Out Burger," the former Carl's Jr. pitchwoman said on the Seacrest show.
With the DUI case now closed, Hilton is moving on to her next challenge: how to make dogs red-carpet ready.
The Paris Hilton Pet Collection, offering clothing, baubles, bedding and more to "fashion-forward" Fidos, is on its way to stores, it was announced Monday.
Prices of the goodies will range from $25-$300. Tinkerbell is not included.
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