Hilton plea deal avoids felony

LAS VEGAS – Paris Hilton will serve a year of probation and avoid a felony conviction under the terms of a plea deal worked out with prosecutors following her arrest on drug charges in Las Vegas, Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Friday.

Roger said the celebrity socialite has agreed to plead guilty Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court to two misdemeanors stemming from the Aug. 27 arrest.

Hilton, 29, was arrested inside the Wynn resort, after police say a small plastic bag containing 0.8 grams of cocaine fell out of her Chanel purse as she reached for a tube of lip balm in front of a police lieutenant.

A plea agreement obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal shows Hilton will plead guilty to drug possession and obstructing an officer.

Hilton will serve a year of probation, the newspaper reported. She also must complete a drug abuse program, pay a $2,000 fine and serve 200 hours of community service.

The original felony cocaine possession charge would not have resulted in any jail time.

“If she is arrested for anything besides a minor traffic violation she will spend a year in jail,” Roger said. “There will be no discussion. The court will have no discretion.”

Hilton initially told police the purse and cocaine were not hers, but claimed some items in the bag, including rolling papers, $1,300 in cash and several credit cards.