Judge’s Harsh Words For Lindsay Lohan: ‘If You Plead… You Are Going To Jail’

Lindsay Lohan received a harsh warning from a judge when she returned to court on Wednesday in a hearing for the alleged theft of a $2,500 necklace, to which the actress previously pleaded not guilty.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz told Lindsay that he would sentence her to jail if she accepted a plea deal from prosecutors by pleading guilty or no contest. Lindsay is still on probation from her 2007 drunken driving case.

“If you plead in front of me, if this case is resolved in front of me, you are going to jail,” Judge Schwartz said. “Period.”

The judge said he would treat the actress like any “John Doe” or “Jane Doe,” saying, “You’re no different than anyone else. If you violate the law, I will remand you and set no bail, and your attorney won’t be successful this time.”

The details of the plea deal, which was offered to Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, in judge’s chambers were not revealed. Judge Schwartz said he didn’t think the actress would accept the offer.

Prosecutors turned over their remaining evidence in the case, which included surveillance footage and police reports, to Lohan’s attorney.

“I don’t want you to be a repeat offender in the system,” Judge Schwartz continued. “I want you to get on with your life, I want you to reach whatever potential you have and move on and stop causing yourself, your family any additional stress.”

Judge Schwartz said if the case is resolved before him that he would add additional psychological components to her probation.

“If the case settle here, you need to get a reliable, trustworthy and reasonable sponsor unrelated to any of your family members,” he said. “I need somebody unrelated to you who is not moved by anything other than seeing you succeed… [somebody to] help you stay away from substance abuse issues, help you stay away from alcohol issues, help you get back on track and hopefully reach the potential that you have.”

When asked if she understood, Lindsay said, “Yes, your honor.”

Judge Schwartz continued the case until March 10, when Lindsay will be required to appear again. If Lindsay does not accept a plea deal, the case will then go to a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will present their evidence against the actress.

“The D.A.‘s office has already laid out very clearly their position on this case,” Judge Schwartz continued. “I can’t be specific, but I have indicated to your attorney that a lot of the things she has requested are reasonable. The next time you see me, it’s either to settle this case or it’s not.

“You will be treated exactly the same as anyone else, no better, no worse. That’s very important to me.”

Judge Schwartz noted that if Lindsay does not accept a plea deal, the case would then go before a different judge, Judge Stephanie Sautner, who would handle both the probation violation and preliminary hearing on the felony charge.

Lindsay – dressed in cream-colored pants and a black top – and her attorney left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, but her father, Michael Lohan, spoke to the press after the hearing.

“I don’t see Lindsay as a criminal,” he said. “This is all a result of her addiction.”

Lindsay’s mom Dina and brother Michael Jr. were also in court on Wednesday.

For a complete run down of all the action from inside the courtroom, CLICK HERE!

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, earlier this month, after her first court appearance for the alleged theft, Lohan proclaimed her innocence via Twitter and Facebook.

“fyi- i would never steal, in case people are wondering,” she wrote on her Facebook, a statement posted in part on her official Twitter account. “I was not raised to lie, cheat, or steal.”

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