"Free Lindsay Lohan": Judge ends actress' probation begun over drunk driving arrests

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - A judge ended Lindsay Lohan's supervised probation Thursday stemming from a pair of drunk driving arrests in 2007, giving the actress her freedom back after nearly two years of constant court hearings and jail threats.

Lohan thanked Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner for her patience and let out a sigh of relief as she exited the courtroom after the brief progress hearing.

According to CBS Los Angeles, Lohan finished up 480 hours of community service at the Los Angeles County morgue Wednesday and concluded therapy sessions to officially complete the terms of her probation.

"I just want to say thank you for being fair. It's really opened a lot of doors for me," Lohan said.

The judge reminded Lohan that her formal probation in a 2011 Venice necklace theft case was converted to summary probation, under which she would not have to check in with a probation officer, but must obey all laws.

"You need to live your life in a more mature way, stop the nightclubbing and focus on your work," Sautner said.

If Lohan does get into more trouble, she could face a 245-day jail sentence in the necklace case. The judge said she understood that Lohan may be frustrated with constant scrutiny by paparazzi and others, but noted, "That's the life you chose."

Lohan's summary probation will end on May 24, 2014.

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