I know there's been a lot of blogviating about Paris Hilton and how because she is rich and powerful she got out of prison, but I'd like to point out that it's because she's rich, powerful, and white. Lil' Kim was incarcerated in Philadelphia not long ago and did all of her time.
I realize that Kim's wealth and power does not approach that of the Hiltons, and Philadelphia is a very different place than LA (understatement of the year on my blog) but still. It's not just wealth that made the difference here.
The not so funny piece of all of this is that the sheriff in LA county is probably an elected position, like the majority of the US, and he's probably secured his single largest contributor for the next election, and by the time it occurs, most people will have forgotten Paris' temporary release, meaning the sheriff has played the justice system for his own future political gain, while truly innocent people continue to suffer in jail, while non-violent drug offenders busted for personal possession rot in jail, Lee Baca plays the emotions of one rich family for more campaign dollars.
Actually, he is appointed in LA County.
According to this article on Wikipedia Lee Baca is elected into his post.