Lindsay Lohan asks media to aim spotlight elsewhere after "no contest" plea to theft
(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Lindsay Lohan says she wants to move forward. Can she?
After pleading no contest Wednesday to misdemeanor grand theft for taking a $2,500 necklace from an upscale Venice Beach jewelry shop. the actress released a written statement saying she was glad to put the case behind her, and has already started her 300 hours of community service at a shelter for women.
"I hope to be able to fulfill my obligation without any press attention," Lohan said. "I think the media spotlight should be on issues such as homelessness and domestic violence instead of on me."
The plea was entered Wednesday on the actress' behalf by her attorney. Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner accepted the plea and said Lohan, who did not attend the proceeding, will remain on probation until November and should undergo psychological counseling.
The deal means Lohan, 24, is not acknowledging guilt, but the case still gets recorded as a conviction.
Lohan was charged in February with stealing the $2,500 piece. The incident happened three weeks after she was released from court-ordered rehab for a 2007 drunken driving case.
Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner has ordered Lohan to serve a 120-day jail sentence and remain on probation while she completes community service and undergoes psychological counseling.
The judge ordered the additional counseling after reviewing a probation report that detailed a series of relapses by Lohan, including a positive test for alcohol in February, a little more month after she was released from rehab.
The report, prepared in February, also said authorities found evidence the actress had been drinking while receiving treatment at the Betty Ford Center.
In addition to counseling, community service and the jail sentence, Lohan will have to complete an anti-shoplifting class.
The "Mean Girls" actress will likely serve only a fraction of her 120 day jail term due to overcrowding, and may be placed on house arrest.