(Updated, 8:29 a.m. PST Saturday)
Lindsay Lohan was released on $75,000 bail after spending almost five hours in county jail Friday evening. The actress had been sentenced to 120 days for probation violation for allegedly stealing a necklace from a Venice boutique.
During a preliminary hearing on the matter Friday Judge Stephanie Sautner reduced the charges to a misdemeanor from a felony and also sentenced her to 480 hours of community service.
The actress, cast this week in a movie about the Gotti crime family, has been ordered to stand trial in early June. It is not yet clear how her legal troubles might affect that project.
Also Read: Lindsay Lohan Got Mobbed Up, After All
(Updated, 5:07 p.m. PST)
Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to 120 days in county jail for probation violation and remanded into custody Friday afternoon.
The actress appeared earlier in the day for a preliminary hearing on jewelry-theft charges and, while Judge Stephanie Sautner knocked the charge down from a felony to a misdemeanor, she did find that Lohan had violated her probation stemming from two DUI arrests in 2007.
Judge Sautner also charged the actress with 480 hours of community service.
Sautner chastised Lohan during today's hearing, according to the Associated Press, telling the actress, "I see a level of brazenness with `Let me see what I can get away with here.'"
This will mark the fourth jail stint for the 24-year-old actress.
Meanwhile, prosecutor Danette Meyers said she will appeal Sautner's decision to reduce Lohan's charge. During a press conference, Meyers called Sautner's decision "a clear abuse of discretion," adding that she felt Lohan deserves 180 days in jail.
Meyers asserted that Lohan's two DUI arrests are sufficient to make this a felony probation violation.
Earlier:
Lindsay Lohan caught a major break during her preliminary hearing for alleged jewelry theft at Los Angeles Superior Court Friday.
TMZ reports that Judge Stephanie Sautner knocked Lohan’s charge down to a misdemeanor, from a felony grand theft charge, determining that the offense, coupled with Lohan’s record, did not warrant a felony charge. This ruling reduces the Lohan's penalty if convicted of the crime.
During today’s preliminary hearing, Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Holley, argued to have the charge dismissed altogether.
Lohan is accused of walking off with a $2,500 necklace without paying for it during a visit to Venice, California boutique Kamofie and Co.
Friday’s hearing, which was attended by the 24-year-old actress’ father, Michael Lohan, included testimony from Kamofie employee Tinelli Comsookri, according to ABC. Comsookri testified that, the day before the necklace incident, Lohan nearly walked off with one of the store’s earrings in her ear. Comsookri told the court that, when she confronted the actress about the earring, Lohan apologized and returned it.
Kamofie owner Sofia Kaman also testified, saying the Lohan came into the store after hours on the day of the alleged theft with a friend, Patrick, who distracted Kaman with questions.
TMZ reports that Holley grilled Kaman about allegedly selling surveillance video of the supposed theft for $25,000, a charge that Kaman denied.
Lohan, who pleaded not guilty in the case, has consistently maintained her innocence.