Oscar-nominated actress Winona Ryder was spared jail time today for her felony shoplifting conviction but was placed on three years probation by a Beverly Hills judge and ordered to undergo drug and psychiatric counseling.
Ryder was convicted on November 6th of grand theft and felony vandalism for stealing more than $5,560 in goods and damaging a $795 Calvin Klein purse during a December 12th, 2001 shoplifting spree at the Saks Fifth Avenue branch here.
Superior Court Judge Elden Fox followed prosecutors' recommendations to sentence the 31-year-old actress to probation and 480 hours of community service and ordered her to pay more than $6,300 in restitution to the Beverly Hills store, plus $3,700 in fines to the court.
Mr Fox told Ryder she needed "to make necessary changes in your life" and warned her "if you steal again, you will go to jail."
"Do you understand that?" Fox asked her. "Yes, I do," she responded.
"I intend to hold you accountable," Fox said. "You have disappointed many people who have been entertained and inspired by your talent and acts of kindness over many years."