Lindsay opted for the shrinking violet Basic Instinct look, favoured by the equally demure Sharon Stone, in which to strut across a car park into a courthouse - whereupon she had a bit of a giggle. Probably an inside joke with the stenographer, what with Lohan being such a frequenter to court 'n all.

I must admit, I was fed the Basic Instinct line. My first impression upon seeing this ensemble was "good, at least she's being sensible wearing thermals at this time of year. Even if it is constantly around 24 degrees. That would explain why she chose not to wear a dress over it her long vest... And look at her so prepared, she's even getting the wrists primed for some cuff action."

Anyway, according to TMZ, this is what happened in the court: "Judge Keith Schwartz set a hearing for February 23, so the lawyers can talk plea bargain. We've learned Lindsay is willing to plead guilty to make the case go away, provided she doesn't get any jail or prison time. Sources say the prosecutor wants jail time so there's an impasse. But there's another way Lindsay can make this case go away. When there is only one charge on the table - as there is here - the defendant can essentially cut a deal with the judge, cutting the D.A. out of the picture. If Shawn Chapman Holley offers to plead guilty to felony grand theft, with the judge's assurance he won't put her behind bars, the case could go away. And, it's common in cases like this for the judge to reduce the offense to a misdemeanor if Lindsay stays out of trouble for 12 months."

TMZ also report that "four days before Lindsay Lohan allegedly stole the $2,500 necklace at the center of her felony case, she tried walking out of the same store days before with a diamond earring...  but the prior incident could actually help Lindsay's case. According to the report, on January 18, four days before the alleged necklace incident, Lindsay went to Kamofie & Company and tried on a pair of 18 karat gold white diamond earrings. Lindsay removed one earring and left the other in her ear while she shopped. According to the report, 'Ms. Lohan gathered her things and started to leave the jewelry store without making a purchase. Ms. Lohan's hair was flipped to one side covering the diamond earring.' The report states, '[The clerk] stopped her and reminded Ms. Lohan she was still wearing the earring. Ms. Lohan laughed, admitted to her mistake and removed the earring from her ear and returned it to [the clerk].' The scenario involving the earrings is similar to Lindsay's conduct in the store when she left with the necklace. Ironically, the earring incident could actually help Lindsay. She had absentmindedly left her own, more expensive earrings on the counter as she began walking out of the store with the single earring. And, people who know Lindsay say she's a scatterbrain who forgets basic things all the time."

Way to make years of drug abuse work in one's favour.