Hilton pleads guilty to drug possession and obstructing police officer

Paris Hilton today pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour charges stemming from her arrest for drug possession last month in Las Vegas.

She will serve a year of probation and avoid a more serious felony charge under the terms of a plea deal worked out with prosecutors after the 29-year-old celebrity heiress admitted possessing drugs and obstructing a police officer.

Hilton must complete a drug abuse program, pay a $2,000 (€1,529) and serve 200 hours of community service.

She faces a year in jail if she violates the probation and is arrested for anything other than a minor traffic offence.

Hilton was arrested on August 26 inside the Wynn casino resort, after a small plastic bag containing 0.8 of a gram of cocaine fell out of her handbag in front of a police officer.

Prosecutor David Schubert called the plea deal “a fair resolution”.

“Our main concern is that Ms. Hilton stay out of trouble over the next year,” he told the judge.

Hilton’s lawyer said she would continue to volunteer with animal rights groups and children’s hospitals to meet the requirements of the plea agreement.

“I know Ms Hilton is contrite and accepts the responsibility for her actions,” he said.

He added she would attend an outpatient substance abuse treatment programme.