t’s a fundamental American principle: All people are equal in the eyes of the law.  But after Lindsay Lohan escaped harsh punishment for her DUI and drug-related convictions, many began to wonder if the justice system truly is impartial when it comes to celebrities.

On July 24, 2007, Lindsay Lohan was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and cocaine possession.   At approximately 1:35 a.m., Santa Monica police responded to a call reporting an argument in the parking lot of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.  Upon arrival at the scene, police determined that Lohan had been driving her vehicle under the influence of alcohol.  Officers proceeded to arrest her, and brought her to the Santa Monica jail.  At the jail, police found a small amount of cocaine in her possession.  She was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and possession of cocaine. She was subsequently released upon making bail of $25,000.

This was the second incident in less than two months in which Lohan had been investigated for driving under the influence by California police, and it happened less than two weeks after she left a rehab facility – her second trip to rehab this year.

At her trial on August 23, 2007, Lohan pled guilty to misdemeanor DUI and cocaine charges, and was sentenced to one day in jail, ten days of community service, and mandatory drug and alcohol treatment and education programs.  Lohan also received 36 months probation.  In a statement issued by her publicist, Lohan said, “It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs.”