Judge issues bench warrant for Lindsay Lohan, says actress may have violated probation [Updated]

Superior Court Judge Marsha N. Revel issued a bench warrant for actress Lindsay Lohan for failing to appear in court because she is still in France.

The judge ruled that there is "probable cause" that Lohan may be in violation of her terms of probation and ordered that she immediately cease drinking any alcohol.

With Lohan absent from her Beverly Hills courtroom for a mandatory progress report for her 2007 DUI conviction, Revel castigated the actress for failing to return from Cannes. She said it was the latest in a series of failures to follow court orders.

"I want to say all parties are present, but Miss Lohan is not here," Revel said.

Lohan's attorneys told the judge the actress' passport had been stolen.

The judge ordered Lohan to "not drink any alcohol." She must also wear an alcohol-detecting device and submit to random, weekly drug testing.

"Actions do speak louder than words," Revel said. "This isn't the first time.... She knew she missed other things."

[Updated at 10:11 a.m.: Revel said later the orders to not drink alcohol, wear a device and submit to drug testing would not be imposed until after a hearing next week, said court spokesman Allan Parachini. The hearing could be before another judge, but Revel has recommended the judge impose the conditions.]

Revel also expressed anger that Lohan had failed to attend alcohol classes every week as she had ordered.

She set Lohan's bail at $100,000. A bench warrant is standard procedure for no-shows.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Danette Meyers said, "If the court determines Lindsay Lohan has violated the terms of her probation or failed to abide by the court order, I will be asking for substantial jail time, which could be up to 180 days."

The judge already issued an arrest warrant in March 2009 but later recalled it.

Lohan since 2007 has tested the judge's patience. Revel extended the actress' probation last year because she had not attended enough mandatory alcohol treatment classes. And that is why Thursday's court appearance is mandatory.

The hearing is to see whether Lohan is complying with the court-ordered alcohol education classes. A report to the court by the class provider says Lohan, while short of the credit needed to complete the required classes, is in compliance.

The program says she once struggled with attendance but now "attends regularly." But the court may question why Lohan missed so many classes and had significant gaps in attendance. The actress has so far spent 84 minutes in jail since her conviction as part of the plea deal.

[Updated at 9:50 a.m.: Lohan's attorney Shawn Chapman-Holley protested that Lohan was the victim of passport theft, but the judge said the actress should have made provisions to come back early from the Cannes Film Festival.

Lohan now has a temporary passport, Chapman-Holley said, and will return to Los Angeles on Friday.

Outside the courtroom, Chapman-Holley said she believes Lohan is in substantial compliance with the alcohol treatment program required by the court.]

[For the record at 10:31 a.m.: A previous version stated incorrectly that Lohan would be cited and released when she returns to Los Angeles.

"She will be incarcerated. She will be booked. She will have to post bond,” said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. Because the judge set bail at $100,000, she cannot be cited and released, he said.

--Richard Winton

Photo: Actress Lindsay Lohan during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2010 in Cannes, France. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Comments

[john stevenson]

Girl needs to go to prison and do the time.

John

[Hypatia]

Sounds to me more like this judge is having so much fun generating as much controversy as she CAN from this case. Is she dating Lindsay's crazy father? Just askin....

[adrian]

Perhaps Ms Lohan should just remain in France? The petulant California Judicio-media circus seems intent on imposing draconian penalties that appear far out of proportion to the idiot-girl's deeds, and anyway, the state is bankrupt. Why fill the jails with more and more non-violent offenders? A public spanking with a feather-duster would probably do more good than incarceration.

[Figgins]

Typical behavior from Hollywood's younger generation (see Paris Hilton). Lohan's behavior simply shouts 'I am above this! I am better than you!' Can't wait for the judge to slam her little rear-end in jail.

[Juan R.]

If she wants to enjoy a drink thousands of miles away, why should it be the governments business?

[Joel]

What was her earlier sentence? 30 days? And she was in jail for 84 minutes. So she gets 180 days? Does that mean she gets out after 504 minutes (8 1/2 hours)? Or less? Ooooh, we're overcrowded at the county jail, and this is a minor offense -- that's what the excuse usually is. Will it happen again? Probably.

[LisaLisa]

Good.

[watchitgo]

Princess Lohan may spend some quality time in jail. If she could find a good handservant to do her time it would be great for her! She is not interested in begin responsible. She is only hurting herself, thank goodness she does not have children!

[Lawrence W]

Fair treatment under the law requires that she be punished like anyone else. Losing a passport (which she probably lost on purpose) is not sufficient reasoning to not make a court date. Being too busy or "working" is not sufficient reasoning to not make court appointed programs. Put her in jail and make her serve her entire sentence as she deserves.

[chuck]

They need to throw the book at her. Because shes going to hurt or kill herself or someone else.

[bigdad59]

Go to jail you dingbat.

[V8A]

Lindsay just keeps on screwing up. I know the time difference can get someone confused but really. Really! Shame on you Lindsay for trying to push the judges buttons. All you have done is make things worse for yourself. let that ego and pride down. You have let lots of people down. Who cares about the fans but your family and close friends probably do not feel okay being around you anymore. The only people near are the ones that want something from you right now. Just do as the judge asks and follow direction. You would not be in these shoes if you did not place your self in this situation. Man-o-man, I still remember parent trap and the cute little girls in the movie. Love your freckles then and love them now. Do not hate anyone. Just do as asked to clear your name and so that we can see you in the big or little screen some where. Take care Lindsay.

[MikeOHara]

Her career no longer has anything to do with acting; it's just about messing up. Serious jail time might do her good.

[peter]

Typical chest beating by a DA... make yourself look good and make sure the public knows it. 6 months in jail? Yeah, thats justice.. lets lock up more people in the name of "justice" everyone knows, the DA's office cares about one thing and one thing only.. a win.. Justice? what's that?

[roy rogers]

miss lohan is above the law she thinks

[roy rogers]

miss lohan thinks she's above the law.

[Cosmo Kramer]

YAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!! She's finally going where she belongs!!!

[Chris]

I hope that everyone involves understands that DUI should not be taken as a joke. I think this situation is proof positive that DUI laws should be stricter. Why is she running around loose out of control with this kind of a violation?

[SeaofCabernet]

Such riveting news! I can't get enough of this hard-hitting journalism.

Are you kidding me? How is this even news?

This loser has-been and her family, have over stayed their 15 minutes of fame...get the hook!

[Juan]

Many celebreties think they can do wahtever they want, they think they are above the law. They behave belligerent, arrogant.

[kgoddess]

Slow news day I guess.

[coolness]

Oh gawd! Lohan missed a court hearing. You call this NEWS!!! Get a freakin life!

[Steven McCormick]

Well Lindsay . . . I guess all that talk about celebrities being above the law . . . is just THAT . . . TALK!!!

[Randy]

Oh My God! This is the most devastating news I have heard all year. How can a judge issue a warrant on this respectful, law abiding citizen.... the role model for all young people in America!

Does this judge know how many young people he will hurt by this?

Just what is wrong with drinking and driving? They're making such a big deal over this! What can we do to protest this situation and get Lindsay back and safe and prevent her from going to jail.

What has happened to this country?

[mike]

I hope she's not riding for a big fall...like Monroe or Smith. Arrogance is one thing, but self-destructive behaviour is another.