By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

In court: Lindsay Lohan arrives at Los Angeles Superior Courthouse today in a clinging white dress


Bail set at $40,000


Lindsay Lohan pleaded not guilty as she appeared in court charged with the theft of a $2,500 gold necklace today.

The star received a tough grilling in the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse, where she was warned she faced jail if she committed any crime, no matter how small, before her next hearing on February 23.

Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz told the star: 'If you violate the law I will remand you and set no bail.'

Just to make himself clear he added: 'Look around this room. Everybody else has to follow the law. You're no different than anyone else. So please, don't push your luck.'

Wearing a clinging white dress, black heels and sunglasses, a composed Lohan had her hair tied back as she walked into the courthouse.

The LA County District Attorney's Office formally announced the charges this morning, ahead of the actress' appearance in court.

Lohan was still on probation for a 2007 drink-driving offence when she carried out the alleged theft.


Serious: Lohan speaks to her lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley in court


'You're no different to anyone else': Lohan in court today, listening to the judge


But unlike her previous indiscretions the charge is Lohan's first felony crime - which led the judge to give her a special warning.

'You're on a different situation now that a felony has been filed against you.'

Stolen? Lohan allegedly wearing the necklace

The Mean Girls star said little during the brief hearing. She was then taken into custody and formally booked for the offence, with a mug shot taken.

Her bail was set at $40,000, $20,000 for the probation violation, dating back to her 2007 arrest, with another $20,000 for the aleged theft.


Stolen? Lohan allegedly wearing the necklace


Her lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley said she was ready to pay the bail.
The necklace in question was taken from a store in Venice, California, last month but was returned to police last Wednesday by Lindsay's stylist.

According to reports, the actress was seen wearing the necklace days after the Kamofie and Company jewellery store had reported it stolen to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Friends have said Lohan believed the necklace was on loan.
In court the actress was banned from any further contact with the shop, after it emerged she had sent them flowers.

Ms Holley has said that the Mean Girls actress ‘vehemently denies’ the allegations. She added yesterday that Lohan had complied with the terms of her probation.

Sources connected to the case revealed to website TMZ that the district attorney's office considered three previous incidents linking Lindsay to stolen expensive items.

In 2008, she was accused of stealing a $12,000 mink coat from a NYC nightclub. And in 2009, she was suspected of taking a $400,000 necklace from an Elle Magazine photo shoot.


Crazy scenes: Lohan was mobbed by press as she arrived at court, flanked by officers


And just last year she was accused of taking a $35,000 Rolex from a 'friend'.
Lindsay was not prosecuted or convicted in the three cases, but sources say prosecutors heavily considered the prior incidents in making their decision.

Adding to her worries the star is also currently under investigation by Riverside County prosecutors in California for allegedly attacking a Betty Ford employee during her spell in rehab earlier this year.

She is also on bail following a 2007 drink-driving conviction.
In relation to that case LA Superior Court Judge Elden Fox warned Lohan in October that any more slip-ups would be met with six months in jail.


Charged: Papers, filed this morning, detailing Lohan's grand theft felony charge


Judge to Lindsay Lohan: 'Don't Push Your Luck'


source: dailymail