Lindsay Lohan could still face jail, says Judge Stephanie Sautner

Lindsay Lohan appeared in court on Wednesday for a hearing relating to a lying to police and reckless driving over a car crash in June last year on Pacific Coast Highway.

Lindsay Lohan was told by Judge Stephanie Sautner that she could still be found in violation of her probation – even if a jury finds her not guilty.

Judge Stephanie Sautner set a trial date for next month, and dryly commented to Lindsay Lohan: “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” in reference to the actress almost not showing up on health grounds.

Lindsay Lohan, 26, confirmed that Mark Heller, her new lawyer, will represent her in the case, after cutting ties with long-time attorney Shawn Holley.

The actress hesitated when asked if she was comfortable with the change in legal representation – but agreed.

She is facing jail over claims she lied to police over a car crash in June last year on Pacific Coast Highway.

At the time Lindsay Lohan told police her assistant Gavin Doyle was driving her Porsche – but he later told police it was in fact Lindsay behind the wheel.

Lindsay Lohan, whose probation stemming from her 2011 jewellery theft case was formally revoked in December, has been told that even if jurors find her not guilty in the trial, she could still be found in violation of her probation, because the standard of proof is lower.

Essentially that means a jail term could still be on the cards.

New York lawyer Mark Heller attempted to court favor with the judge, asking her about her NYC link as a former detective in the Big Apple.

“That was in another life,” Stephanie Sautner fired back.

“Flattery does not get your anywhere in this court.”

Stephanie Sautner also revealed that she is retiring later this month – so will not be the judge in Lindsay Lohan’s trial.

“I’m retiring before the 1st March,” she said referring to Lindsay Lohan’s next hearing.

“Not that I planned it this way.”

The next hearing will be March 1, while the trial has been set for March 18.

Lindsay Lohan arrived seven minutes late for the hearing, turning up at 8:37 a.m. local time for her 8:30 a.m. hearing wearing a sleeveless black dress with keyhole detailing at the back and her hair up in a ponytail.

She looked deflated throughout proceedings as the legal teams discussed dates and scheduling.

A source previously said: “Mark believes he can get Lindsay acquitted of all criminal charges stemming from her car accident in Santa Monica last summer.

“Lindsay has convinced Mark that she never lied to cops when they asked her if she was driving the car that day.

“There was a plea bargain offer on the table for Lindsay to go to rehab for nine months, but she absolutely refused that. Mark won’t sign off on a deal that sends Lindsay to rehab for more than 60 days.”