Nick Hogan gets out of jail early!

Nick Hogan, whose questionable driving skills left his passenger/pal and former Marine John Graziano needing medical care for the rest of his life, is officially out of jail.

Hogan pleaded no contest in May 2007 to reckless driving.

But his sentence got reduced and he was released from the Florida jail early Tuesday morning, into the capable custody of his sister Brooke Hogan

He could have been in the pen for up to five years. But Graziano's family requested a lesser sentence and he served 166 days of an eight-month sentence.

No word on where Nick's parents were. But click here to see Linda Hogan the day before Nick was released. Priceless.

And Linda did release a statement about her son: "Nick went into prison as a juvenile and has experienced something that will mold and affect him for the rest of his adult life. His focus is to make a positive difference in this world, media-free. Since his future actions will speak louder than any words, there is no need to speak to the media at this time."

Nick's license will be suspended for three years. He also has to do 500 hours of community service. But Nick's "actions" could also include spending time on that new reality show he has said he wants to star in.

What do you think? Should Nick be off the hook?

Photos: Nick and Brooke in happier times. Credit: WireImage

Comments

[MadcapMagician]

Just great.. another drunk driver getting off with a slap on the wrist.

and this was not just a dui case, but a felony case involving major injuries. As a victim of dui, I am still delaing with the injuries inflicted on me because of an idiots drunken outing.

I have no sympathy for drunk drivers... this little spoiled rich kid should have done the full sentence.... he has placed a lifetime burden on the parents and family of the guy he injured.

I certainly hope they victims of lil nicky hogan sue him for every freakin dime he is ever going to get from mommy and daddy, and whatever he makes for life.

[Max]

Graziano wasn't wearing his seatbelt in the collision; it's wrong to blame Hogan for his sad condition.

You're a damn fool if you don't wear your seatbelt!

[tom]

McCain needed another voter.

[eb]

I thought the time for serving decision was left to the judge and not to the family of either the victim or the defendant. Only in America. I will keep this in mind.

[Matt]

All I can say is, by any definition, these are really, really bad people.

[Abel Lopez]

Thats a bunch of bull, he should have served the entire 8 months. Mr. Graziano has a life sentence (medically) and this punk is out early!! How did this he happen? Where is the justice?

[What?!]

I do not know what Graziano's family has said about their son being left in a vegetative state. But if it were my son, I think I would want the person responsible, to serve a little bit more than 5.5 months in jail. And then to come out and have a TV show waiting in the wings??? Now that's justice folks!!!

[Mr. MFIC]

What a bunch of freaks.

[Sparky]

If this idiot is as stupid as his sister, who is as dumb as a box of rocks, he'll be back in jail shortly. Too bad his friend has to deal with lifelong problems while Nick only has to deal with media covering his pathetic life.

[Bobby Browner]

Yeah, we all make some pretty terrible mistakes, but imagine the karma of causing your friend to be permanently disabled. That karma is actually worse than any jail sentence or public shaming. It's the kind of thing that carries over for many lifetimes. Best of luck to the Hogans. Fuckin' celebs.

[Douglas]

If the Graziano family was in favor of a reduced sentence then why should we oppose it? I am assuming that he will be on parole, not totally free, and we'll see if he can turn his life around.

[Dave Corr]

Once again people miss the point, WHERE A SEAT BELT DUMBASS!!! Yeah Nick was at Fault for speeding but his Passenger who had been his pal and was more than happy to get fame via his friend didn't wear a SEAT BELT!!! So please stop blaming others for a young man who didn't use common sense. Hope this just goes to show that WEARING A SEAT BELT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE and MAYBE EVEN KEEP YOU FROM BECOMING A VEGGIE. I feel for the passenger but lets be honest, we must take responsibility for our own actions, it would have been easy to reach over his shoulder and pull the seat belt across and probably save himself from a lifetime of misery, instead he didn't and look where it's gotten him. REMEMBER TO WEAR A SEAT BELT IDIOTS!!!

[Hollywood Hulk Hogan]

well ya' know somethin' brother? if nick follows the rest of the hulkamaniacs and says his prayers and takes his vitamins, I'm sure that the man upstairs will make sure he doesn't put the smack down on another unsuspecting passenger!

[ed thomas]

Having a friend killed by a drunk driver, I think this kid should not have been shown a bit of mercy. Unfortunately, the Florida justice system if pay offable one way of the other. May the people who let him loose get his and seriously injured by the next OWI they let out.

[responsible]

i tell my passengers to put their seat belt on. . i wouldn't say " it's your damn fault you got messed up" if something was to happen to my passenger.

he shouldn't have been released early. that's wrong. but oh well. famous people that have tons of money... what can you do but call them turds. TURDS!

ps . he was drunk people!

[Bill]

To the idiot (Max) who said, “Its wrong to blame Hogan for his sad condition,” since when does not wearing a seatbelt absolve a drunk and reckless drivers responsibility?

[sandwall]

Barely anyone serves their complete sentence. This is a common misconception that people have about our justice system. People often serve anywhere from half to two-thirds of their sentence (dependent on state and county laws). This wasn't 'special' treatment. Also, eight months was a fair sentence for a first time offender. More time wouldn't have served the community any better, one of the major factors in criminal justice is intent, and I doubt nick intended to hurt his friend.

On the other hand this kid (and his family in general) is quite selfish and hopefully took this time to reflect on his actions and how they affected others rather than just wallowing in self-pity. Time will tell whether he learned something from this tragic event...

[Nikki]

Celeberity in jail does get off easy, just imagine if this happened to one of us, who is not famous, we will be routing in jail without any chance of parole.. Man it sucks, but I guess this is reality and we all have to wake up to another celebrity getting all the spot light, while the best friend is lying on his death bed without the chance of even seeing th light of day..This is going out to everyone, please wear a seat belt..My thoughts an prayer is with the best friend, who has to deal with the speeding of Nick Hogan..That is one messed up family..

[Rob]

A seatbelt isn't going to protect you in a lot of reckless endangerment situations. As one of the lawyers said "the seatbelt didn't hit the tree, the car did". No one's disagreeing that people should wear seatbelts, but reckless driving and excessive speeding by a spoiled kid is what cause the problem. Teenagers who get caught for reckless endangerment should not be allowed to drive for at least 10 years in my book. They have no right to endanger the lives of others so they can get their kicks - they simply can't handle the speed. Sometimes I wish caning happened in the US, for these really stupid arrogant kids.

I think part of his sentence should be to give like, 80% of his income to charities of people affected by reckless drivers. Instead he'll get a slap on the wrist and run off to make millions.

I hope he doesn't do a reality show, I couldn't stand seeing his stupid privileged face on TV

[Tedo]

I don't think he should have served anytime at all because his dad is hulk hogan. if his dad wasn't hulk hogan then yes he should go to jail.

[Doug]

His best bet for a warmer reception and a Hollywood career would have been to turn down early release and serve the full sentence.

[in.cog.nito]

First, it was his friends fault for not waring his seatbelt, everyone should know to wear a seatbelt.

Secondly, Nick has been an aggressive driver ever since he got his license, hopefully ow he will not drive like a dumbass, especially when it risks more peoples lives out there, then just his.

[Roni]

YA nick deserves to be out of jail he has to live with the torture of knowing that he was in a wreck and he either killed or injured that kid that was with him! And him being released into his sister custody was the best thing for him he will be took en care of now. not that he wasn't took care of before the wreck but being in jail has to be hard epically knowing your a celebrity son i am surprised he wasn't hurt or beat up.

[HoganHater]

Nick is a Dick. Just a matter of time before he gets in more trouble.

[Hulklone]

He should grow a handlebar mustache and dye his hair white