Ex-Idol Sierra to complete California rehab

TAMPA -- Hillsborough Circuit Judge Daniel Perry didn't hide his exasperation upon hearing Jessica Sierra's name in court this morning.

"What are we going to do with her now?" he asked.

Except this time, it's not the former American Idol contestant who is causing problems. According to her attorney, John Fitzgibbons, she "couldn't be doing any better" in her California drug and alcohol rehab program.

But the state of California still is refusing to accept a transfer of Sierra's probation. They want her to fly back to Tampa, where she has had multiple run-ins with police, and apply for the transfer before they will consider accepting it.

"Your honor, it's ridiculous," Fitzgibbons said in court.

The attorney blamed bureaucrats for the delay and predicted Sierra, 22, is more likely to relapse if she returns home before completing the rehab program.

Perry, it seems, agreed. He put Sierra on "mail-in status," meaning her doctors will keep Florida authorities updated on her progress. When she is finished, she'll return to Tampa and the judge will review her probation status at that point.

After court, Sierra's father said his daughter is "90 days sober."

"I'm glad she's in California," Joseph Sierra said. "We don't need her back here."

Related content: From celeb to slammer

- Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer

Comments

[HM]

WOW Common sense. It has become uncommon to see the justice system work well. The waste of my tax dollars on people who are incarcerated needing rehab or mental recovery centers is apalling. Thank you Judge Perry. I know of what I speak. Fourteen years clean and sober.

[Mike V]

I suggest a moratorium on Jessica Sierra stories until she sets foot back on Florida soil and commits another crime.

Otherwise, who really cares??!!

[Tino]

Mike V, there is apparently a weekly quota of stories that the Times needs to fulfill on these topics. Since Susan Stanton and Debra Lafave haven't done anything newsworthy in the past week, they had to run a Sierra story.

[Mokey]

If this was any other Tampa resident with these problems, the Judge wouldn't use such a tone I'm sure. Shame on you for making a mockery of someone who obviously has a severe addiction. Shut your piehole and do your job JUDGE.

[Johnnie]

she was an american idol loser! why is this even news worthy?

[curt]

I agree 'Mike', who really cares.There are so many other addicts in this area and not getting this kind of attention, move on press and write about somebody or something else.

[melissa]

Make up your minds .... does the judicial system really work?? First she's going then she's not! Yeah, that's a real professinal way to handle things...

Quite messing with this girl! If you wanted to keep her locked up here then you should have done that! Now she is in California with what the judge handed down. Let her have a chance to get better...

[Jimmy Mack]

How much would it cost to have them keep her there? It has got to be cheaper than the cost of her trials to the taxpayers...

[john]

nobody cares about her or her problems,noooobbbbbbody,why cant you people write about something or someone we care about,like Mark"dumbsford"Lunsford and how he needs our money to support his trailer trash lifestyle

[Trevor]

The best way to show you don't care about a subject is not to comment on it. Otherwise, you do care...even if it's because it annoys you. Jimmy, the cost of her "trials" has been quite cheap since she hasn't had any; the court appearances weren't "Sierra" only affairs as there were lots of other cases (most of them more serious but receiving no coverage) presented before the judge in all instances. Her incarceration in prison would have cost taxpayers; this rehab is costing them nothing...so really it's a win-win situation.