Lindsay Lohan case: D.A. says reduction in charge forces them to drop theft case, hand it over to city attorney

L.A. County prosecutors said they had no choice but to drop the Lindsay Lohan necklace theft case after a judge reduced the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the L.A. County district attorney's office, said late Tuesday that officials determined the case should be handled by the L.A. city attorney's office, not the D.A.

"The jurisdictional issue was thoroughly researched by the district attorney’s appellate division. Because the charge was reduced by the court to a misdemeanor, the district attorney no longer has jurisdiction to prosecute the case and therefore, we will give the case to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office," she said in a statement.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner last month reduced the charge in the case from a felony to a misdemeanor, a move that would significantly reduce the amount of time Lohan spends behind bars if sentenced to time behind bars. The judge said she thought the reduction of the charge was justified, noting that it occurs all the time in lower-profile cases. The transfer underscores that the case is not being treated as a serious crime. The city attorney often handles smaller misdemeanor cases.

A source close to Lohan who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the outcome of the case is still pending said the actress wants to settle the case and "get this all behind her and move forward in a positive and productive way." A no-contest plea, the source said, "would be consistent with that."

Lohan's next hearing is scheduled for May 11. Any plea deal would most likely coincide with or come before that court date, the source said, stressing that things could always change.

Sautner ruled that Lohan violated her probation by taking a necklace from a Venice jewelry store and sentenced her to 120 days in jail.

Lohan also was ordered to perform 480 hours of community service at a downtown women's center and the Los Angeles County morgue.

RELATED:

Lohan could face employee of jewelry store accusing her of necklace theft

Lohan almost left jewelry store with diamond earring, saleswoman testifies

Shop owner testifies she noticed necklace was missing 10 minutes after closing

-- Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Actress Lindsay Lohan arrives at the Airport Courthouse on April 22. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[think123]

Hmmmm, I wonder who got paid off and how much

[WHEREISJUSTICE?]

That's unfair. I do not see the D.A. dismissing any of my cases. Authorities should crack down on petty theft and loosen up on a minor drug possession charges.

[Sandy Castor]

There we go again!!!!!!!

[harpon]

Good for her.

[glenn grab]

big deal, the merchant got paid, Lindsay's not a felon...

[zygion]

Wow, she commits a crime, she gets caught, she gets off. Over and over.

[Jesse Vazquez]

Not surprised by this. Look who's running the D.A.'s office. And ur right think123, who did get paid off and how much?

[sethook]

Sandi Gibbons has made a career out of apologizing for the ineptness of the DA's office.

[Rick]

This whole thing was stinky from the beginning with a store employee holding the door open for Lindsey to leave the day she "stole" the necklace all the way to the store selling the survellience video. I think they were looking for a publicity stunt and Lindsey was the fall girl (not that she is perfect by any means).

As for the DA dropping the case why would anyone be surprised? If the DA were an equal opportunity prosecutor you would see former Bell Police Chief Randy Adams in the same boat as Rizzo and the others instead of walking around like he didn't do anything wrong.

[Big B]

The merchant got paid only after she was caught stealing it you knucklehead.

[shadowpark]

Two sets of laws one for you the peasants and one for the rich and famous, don't be alarmed just go back to being good obedient slaves.

[Bob]

Leave her alone, please. This sounded like a set up by the store.

[Judy]

How many times is this gonna happen?

[Mark]

Put that fool in jail.

[Charles Pappa]

Regardless whether it's Lindsay Logan or not, if that's the way how miscreants are treated in Southern California, no wonder you have so many of them.

[Lawrence]

Meh, she'll be back in court for something more serious next time. Criminals that get away with crimes never learn their lesson.

[Lisa Williams]

To Charles Pappa: If she were not a celeb, she would not get away with it. They would have given her 10 years on the first drug charge! Then again there are some celebs that are treated like criminals---so I guess it's just her paint job after all.

[frankie4]

the LA DAs love to make things up and over charge,and most of the time it works because most people can not make bail or get a lawyer.this women should of never been charged just like most people in LA county.the whole justice system is so bad that it can not be fixed you need to fire every one break the unions end the pensions and start over.