Celebrity Justice: Does Punishment Fit the Crime?

Aug. 13, 2006 — -- If you're driving around New York City Monday and see a street sweeper who looks an awful lot like Boy George, rest assured you're not going crazy.

The singer was found guilty of cocaine possession and Monday he'll start his five days of community service.

"No special treatment," said John Simon, a Times Square Alliance sanitation worker. "A broom, a dustpan, and work be done."

From drugs to DUIs, the list of criminal celebrities is long. But many believe their punishments don't always match the crime.

"Celebrities have a huge advantage over the average Joe," said Harvey Levin, managing editor of the entertainment news Web site TMZ.com. "Juries are comprised of television watchers, moviegoers, people who listen to music, and there's a huge amount of goodwill."

A jury may have found Michael Jackson not guilty on charges of child molestation, but some in the court of public opinion think otherwise.

But not everyone gets off easy. Lil' Kim served 10 months for lying to police about her involvement in a shootout. And with the help of surveillance cameras, Winona Ryder was charged and found guilty of four felonies for shoplifting.

But many A-listers do have good records when it comes to bouncing back from a crime.

Hugh Grant made fun of his 1995 arrest after being caught with a prostitute in an uncompromising position.

"This guy who you just wrote off," Levin said, "does this unbelievable turn on The Tonight Show and rehabilitates himself."

Domestic diva Martha Stewart managed to spin her prison time into gold with two television shows, and there was a spike in her stock waiting on the outside.

Only time will tell if life on the streets will hurt or help Boy George in the long run -- but one bystander had some suggestions for the singer's community service time.

"I'd have him wear beige and khaki," the bystander said. "Beige and khaki. Boy George, Ugh! Whatever."

Another saw a possible upside.

"They'll probably end up selling t-shirts, and he'll make more money off it," the man said, "like, 'George swept my street.' "