When I turned on the television last Wednesday, I was disturbed to see actress Winona Ryder being tried for shoplifting charges. What is really unfortunate is that, although she was convicted, she never will see time behind bars. Ms. Ryder, like so many other Hollywood celebrities, will never serve any jail time, no matter how many times she commits an offense.
It seems that celebrities, whether from Hollywood or professional sports, get a certain “exempt” status when it comes to their punishment within our judicial system. This special pampering needs to stop, and celebrities should be punished like others who have violated the same laws.
Let’s think about it. If you or I walked out of Saks Fifth Avenue with $5,500 worth of merchandise that we didn’t pay for, we would get a little more than just a slap on the wrist. We would probably end up behind bars for quite some time, and when we got out of the slammer we would still be facing a large fine. On the other hand, Ms. Ryder, who should be facing a maximum of three years in jail under California law, will probably only wind up with probation or community service.
What really upsets me is so many celebrities know they are going to get away with these crimes and they tend just to shrug it off. Sometimes they even joke about their crimes. In December 2001, right after her Saks stealing escapade, Ryder appeared on both Saturday Night Live and MTV joking about the charges brought against her.
These celebrities keep getting away with these crimes because the justice system allows them to. Los Angeles County prosecutor Ann Rundle told reporters, “We will not be asking for jail time. We simply ask Ms. Ryder to accept responsibility.” I would like to ask Ms. Rundle — will you ask for jail time the next time this occurs or will you just let that one slide too? How many times can celebrities get away with a crime before they are punished?
When you think about it, it is amazing how many Hollywood celebrities have been caught and convicted of crimes and then just dealt a slap on the hand and told not to do it again. If not punished, these big shots will continue to commit crimes because they realize they will never be punished.
Take for instance Robert Downey Jr., who after three arrests for drug charges in 1996 finally went to jail in 1999. It wasn’t because of the drug charges that he went to jail. Downey was jailed because of a probation violation. Obviously, this did not deter Mr. Downey from falling to the same vices, because in 2000 and 2001 he was picked up, not once, but twice for drug-related incidents. The first time was for cocaine possession, and the second was a misdemeanor for being under the influence of a controlled substance during Thanksgiving weekend 2000. Despite the felony charge for possession of cocaine, Downey never saw a day in a jail cell for that crime.
I am not discriminating against Ms. Ryder or Mr. Downey. These are just two recent examples of celebrities violating various laws and escaping with just a warning.
Apparently the judicial system has drawn the line at murder for celebrities. Robert Blake’s alleged killing of his wife is an example. I believe celebrities should receive the same type of punishment as you or I for all crimes.