Pleads guilty to drug possession and obstruction but escapes jail time; plans to quit party scene again

No jail time for Paris

Pleads guilty to drug possession and obstruction but escapes jail time; plans to quit party scene again

The heiress agreed to pay a $2,000 (Rs 91,500) fine and complete 200 hours of community service. The community service can be carried out at for any non-profit organisation of her choice.

Solemn: Paris Hilton waits with her attorney David Chesnoff (right)
before pleading guilty to reduced charges. She will enter an outpatient
drug treatment program. Pic/AFP

Hilton was warned by Judge Joe Bonaventure that if she was arrested for anything more than a minor traffic
violation she faces one year in Clark County Detention Centre.

In case she was in any doubt, Bonaventure told Hilton, "The Clark County Detention Center is not
the Waldorf Astoria."

Hilton was also ordered to complete an 'intensive' substance abuse program and was warned by Bonaventure that she must change her behaviour.

Yesterday's court appearance stems from Hilton's August 27 arrest for possessing cocaine.

Hilton initially denied the cocaine was hers, claiming the handbag in which it was in belonged to somebody else.

But as part of a plea deal Hilton accepted responsibility in return for no jail sentence.

The 29-year-old arrived early to court, accompanied by her attorney, David Chesnoff.

She was dressed smartly in a beige blouse and black dress and appeared to be in a solemn mood.

According to US website TMZ Hilton has heralded her arrest as "a wake up call."

Going on to vow that she's using this experience to "finally grow up and become a responsible adult."

She claims that she now wants to spend her time volunteering at animal shelters and focusing on her business empire.

Past, present
If this sounds familiar it's because Hilton has made such claims before.

She sat down for an interview with CNN's Larry King in July 2007 following a 23-day stint in jail for alcohol related reckless driving.

At that time Hilton claimed her incarceration provided "time to get to know myself" before vowing she will now
spend her spare time 'doing good deeds and helping the needy and orphaned.'

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