From correspondents in Los Angeles

June 09, 2007 03:05am

PARIS Hilton was take to court today in handcuffs for a hearing that could result in the celebrity heiress being sent back to jail to serve out a three-week sentence.

Los Angeles city prosecutors filed papers late yesterday demanding that Hilton, 26, be returned to jail a day after her early release on unspecified medical grounds touched off a storm of protest.

Judge Michael Sauer refused to allow her to testify by telephone and told sheriffs today to fetch her from her Hollywood Hills home, where she was confined under house arrest.

A standoff ensued where, according to celebrity website TMZ.com, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department refused to comply with the judge's orders to bring her to court.

The situation was resolved after nearly two hours, when Hilton appeared outside her West Hollywood home in police custody and was bundled ito a waiting police car.

Local Los Angeles city prosecutors have also demanded that the be held in contempt for releasing her early.

Hilton, a symbol of privilege and the excess of American celebrity culture, went to jail last Sunday to serve a 23-day sentence imposed for violating probation by driving on a licence suspended after an earlier reckless driving case.

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What kind of police does LA have?!! Maybe they are all hired out from a movie studio?