Lindsay Lohan Could Dodge Felony Bullet Today
There’s a way Lindsay Lohan could avoid going to trial for felony grand theft — and it all hinges on whether her lawyer uses a magic number — 17 — during today’s preliminary hearing. TMZ did some digging … and there’s a law that is commonly used to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors — and it’s used every day in court. It’s California Penal Code, Section 17(b) . Under the law, the judge has the ability to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor at the end of a preliminary hearing if the offense is relatively minor and the defendant is not a hardened criminal with a long record. Fact is … it’s done everyday, and Lindsay’s judge — Stephanie Sautner — has routinely exercised this power, according to courthouse sources. Fact is, in the greater scheme of things, Lindsay’s DUI convictions do not make her a serious criminal, and the charge of stealing a necklace is no big whoop. All Shawn Holley has to do is say the magic words after today’s preliminary hearing testimony — “Your honor, I move that you reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor under Penal Code 17(B).” And if the charge is reduced, prison time is off the table and it’s likely the whole thing would be settled as a probation violation. This post is rated NC-17(b).