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Those who thought Paris Hilton got a get-out-of-jail-free card, think again.
The socialite, who was granted home detention last night, has been ordered to appear in court at 9am on Friday morning (US time) and could be sent back to prison.
Hilton's early release from jail sparked fury in several quarters, including that of Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, who has filed paperwork demanding Hilton appear before Judge Michael Sauer.
According to celebrity news website People.com, Delgadillo has blasted the Sheriff's Department's decision and wants to know why they acted against the judge's explicit orders.
"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," Delgadillo said in a statement.
"Had we been provided with the proper notification, we would have opposed the decision on legal grounds."
Delgadillo also said he found Hilton's release on medical grounds "puzzling" because LA County jails are usually very well equipped to handle inmate medical situations.
He added: "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."
Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said during a news conference that Paris had been fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet and would be under house arrest for the next 40 days.
Whitmore said her release was due to "medical reasons", but refused to reveal further details as it would contravene US privacy laws.
He added: "I cannot specifically talk about the medical situation other than to say that yes, it played a part in this."
The house arrest is termed "re-assignment", as she is technically still serving her sentence.
Despite being electronically tagged, Paris will still be able to move around in her home in a space of around 3,000 to 4,000 square feet.
But she needn't bother making any plans to celebrate her release; Whitmore said that despite being re-assigned to her home, Paris is far from being a free agent.
"Here's my understanding: She's confined to her home with an ankle bracelet. She cannot leave that facility," he said.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
