Hilton's Early Release Slammed by L.A. City Attorney

The decision to release Paris Hilton from jail yesterday after just three days inside has been slammed by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. Delgadillo is furious the Sheriff's Department didn't consult him before permitting Hilton's release on medical grounds. The socialite was serving a 23 day sentence in the Century Regional Detention Center for violating her parole following a 2006 drunk-driving arrest. Hilton has been fitted with an ankle bracelet and will now serve 40 days under house arrest.
Delgadillo says in a statement: "Today I was extremely troubled to learn that the Sheriff's Department has decided to release Ms. Hilton from custody just three days after she was admitted to county jail. Had we been provided with the proper notification, we would have opposed the decision on legal grounds. I am also concerned that the judicial process may have been improperly circumvented in this case. I have directed my criminal branch to immediately explore all possible legal options to ensure that the law is being applied equally and justly in this case. If law enforcement officials are to enjoy the respect of those we are charged with protecting, we cannot tolerate a two-tiered jail system where the rich and powerful receive special treatment." Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton is also highly critical of Hilton's early release. He says, "This early release gives all the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color. There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released."