Paris Hilton is now a ward of the state of California.

Paris Hilton sits in audience during MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, 03 Jun 2007

The 26-year-old celebrity hotel heiress waited until just after 11:30 p.m. on June 3 to check into a Southern California detention center, where she will serve approximately three weeks for violating her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Hilton surrendered to sheriff's deputies after making a surprise Sunday afternoon appearance at the MTV Movie Awards. She was booked, fingerprinted, and given a standard-issue jumpsuit at the Century Regional Detention Facility, an all-women's jail in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood. She was also given a meal of cereal, bread, and juice.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore, who described Hilton as helpful, focused, and cooperative, said she does not presently have a cellmate.

Speaking June 3, Hilton said "I did have a choice to go to a pay jail. But I declined because I feel like the media portrays me in a way that I'm not and that's why I wanted to go to county, to show that I can do it and I'm going to be treated like everyone else. I'm going to do the time, I'm going to do it the right way."

Celebrities are sometimes allowed to choose their own jails, for which they pay a daily room-and-board fee.