'Glad to see you're feeling better': Judge tells sleepy Lindsay Lohan she could still face jail even if found not guilty by jury... as trial date is set over car crash case

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Hard day's night: A sleepy-looking Lindsay Lohan appeared in court in Los Angeles on Wednesday for a probation violation hearing - hours after being rejected from two LA hotels

Lindsay Lohan was told by a judge on Wednesday that she could still be found in violation of her probation - even if a jury finds her not guilty.
The actress was in court for a hearing relating to a lying to police and reckless driving over a car crash in June last year on Pacific Coast Highway.
Judge Stephanie Sautner set a trial date for next month, and dryly commented to Lindsay: 'I'm glad to see you're feeling better,' in reference to the actress almost not showing up on health grounds.

Strained: Lindsay appeared strung out as her lawyer spoke in court, but managed a few polite smiles

Lindsay confirmed that Mark Heller, her new lawyer, will represent her in the case, after cutting ties with long-time attorney Shawn Holley.
Lohan hesitated when asked if she was comfortable with the change in legal representation - but agreed - amid reports she was desperate to get Holley back after reportedly firing her.
The 26-year-old actress is facing jail over claims she lied to police over a car crash in June last year on Pacific Coast Highway.

Tense: The actress was joined by her New York-based lawyer Mark Heller after cutting ties with long-term attorney Shawn Holley

At the time she told police her assistant Gavin Doyle was driving her Porsche - but he later told police it was Lohan behind the wheel. Lindsay, 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.

Facing justice: Lindsay was back in court with Judge Stephanie Sautner

New York lawyer Heller attempted to court favour with the judge, asking her about her NYC link as a former detective in the Big Apple.
'That was in another life,' Sautner fired back. 'Flattery does not get your anywhere in this court.'
Sautner also revealed that she is retiring later this month - so will not be the judge in Lindsay's trial.
'I'm retiring before the 1st March, she said referring to Lindsay's next hearing: 'Not that I planned it this way.'
The next hearing will be March 1 where motions will be filed, while the trial has been set for March 18.
Lohan, joined by her mother Dina, arrived seven minutes late for the hearing, turning up at 8.37am local time for her 8.30am hearing wearing a sleeveless black dress with keyhole detailing at the back and her hair up in a ponytail.
She was also displaying what appeared to be a new tattoo on her right inner arm - a red triangle with script underneath.

Red-eyed: She appeared to be suffering from a lack of sleep after jetting into LA late on Tuesday

source: dailymail