LOS ANGELES (AP) - Paris Hilton was ordered to appear in court Friday instead of calling in from home, yet another reversal in her twisted path toward serving time on a probation violation.
The decision by Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer was announced by court spokesman Allan Parachini shortly before the start of a hearing that could put the 26-year-old hotel heiress behind bars again for violating probation in a reckless driving case.
"Judge Sauer has instructed the Sheriff's Department to go to Ms. Hilton's residence, pick her up and bring her here. That is happening now," Parachini told reporters outside the courthouse.
Hilton appeared to be in handcuffs when she was placed into a black-and-white patrol car, which sped away from her home with lights flashing as news helicopters pursued, broadcasting live TV coverage.
The car carrying her disappeared into the courthouse's underground parking lot, avoiding a swarm of news media, and her parents then arrived.
Hilton's release for an undisclosed medical condition, and the decision to allow her to serve the time at her Hollywood Hills home, angered some - including local and state authorities and civil rights leaders - who argued it could interpreted as affording the socialite favours not available to other, less famous, inmates.
Early Friday, Parachini announced that Hilton would be allowed to take part in the hearing by telephone. He said he understood that was her attorney's desire and it was not unusual for phones to be used in misdemeanour cases.
Outside the courthouse, people on other business stopped to gawk at news cameras. One of them was Moses Baltazar who was attempting to clear up his own traffic ticket. He said he was no fan of Hilton, noting she once tipped him only a dollar when he worked as a valet, even though he helped keep paparazzi away from her.
He also said there was no excuse for her flouting the law. "Driving like that, you have to behave. If you're rich, you have money, you have to respect yourself," he said, adding he thinks she should be returned to jail.
Outside her home, however, supporters gathered and an airplane towing a "We Love Paris" banner flew overhead.
The frenzy began early Thursday when sheriff's officials released Hilton and sent her home under house arrest. She had been in jail since late Sunday - serving just three of the 45-day sentence while receiving credit for five days. Officials had said she was projected to serve just 23 days in jail.
Hilton was fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and was expected to finish the full sentence for a reckless driving probation violation at her four-bedroom, three-bath home.
The decision by Sheriff Lee Baca to move Hilton chafed prosecutors and Sauer, who spelled out during sentencing that Hilton was not allowed to serve house detention.
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