Lohan attorney quits hours before court

Mr Shapiro resigned after he and Lohan met briefly with Judge Marsha Revel at the Los Angeles Superior Court today, California TV station KTLA reported.

The high-powered lawyer, who acted as defence counsel in OJ Simpson's murder trial, has not commented on his reason for quitting the case.

He confirmed on Saturday that he was representing Lohan in her drug and alcohol case on the condition that the actress served her jail sentence.

"I have agreed to represent Ms Lohan on the condition that she complies with all the terms of her probation, including a requirement of jail time that was imposed by Judge Marsha Revel," Mr Shapiro said.

Lohan’s former lawyer Shawn Chapman was now expected to represent the star in court tomorrow since she never signed the substitution of attorney form to officially hand over the case.

The 24-year-old Mean Girls actress will begin her jail sentence tomorrow after her court appearance.

She was sentenced to 90 days jail followed by a further 90 days in a rehab facility for violating the probation terms of her 2007 drug and alcohol case, the Los Angeles Superior Court ruled July 6.

However experts said it is likely she will spend less time in jail.

Lohan has been staying at Los Angeles area Pickford Lofts rehab facility since July 14, her estranged father Michael Lohan told FOX News Channel.

The star said today on her Twitter account that she was nervous about going to prison.

"The only "bookings" that i'm familiar with are Disney Films, never thought that i'd be "booking" into Jail... eeeks," she wrote.

(Published by Herald Sun – July 20, 2010)