Paris Hilton: 'I'm Ready to Face the Consequences'

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HOLLYWOOD - Socialite Paris Hilton has hit back at criticism she is refusing to take responsibility for driving with a suspended license, insisting she is "ready to face the consequences."

The 26-year-old is set to spend 45 days in a California correctional facility after she was found guilty in court last Friday of violating terms of her 2006 drunk-driving arrest.

At the hearing, Hilton claimed her longtime representative Elliot Mintz had repeatedly informed her her license had been suspended for only 30 days and that she could still drive for work-related matters.

But Hilton, who is in the process of appealing her jail sentence, wants to make clear that she realizes how serious driving under the influence is.

She says, "After reading the media's coverage of my court hearing, I feel the need to correct what I believe are misperceptions about me.

"I absolutely realize how serious driving under the influence is. I could not live with myself if anyone was injured or killed while I was driving while impaired. Clearly, no one should--no matter how slightly.

"I am ready to face the consequences of violating probation.

"No one is above the law. I surely am not. I do not expect to be treated better than anyone else who violated probation. However, my hope is that I will not be treated worse."

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