Monday, 4th June 2007 at 5:15 pm

Flash Bulb: Paris Hilton Mug Shot

American gossip gods TMZ managed to get their hands on the first photograph that was taken of Paris Hilton after she was booked by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department after turning herself in last night to begin her sentence early.

We have to reluctantly admit that it’s not one of the worst mug shots we’ve ever seen - one can’t even see her lazy eye, which is really rather remarkable - even though we’d still think twice before putting it on our coffee mugs. Note how she is straining to keep her neck upright. She is so used to cocking her head to one side when being photographed, it’s almost a bigger reflex than opening her legs to any trust funded boy who comes along!

Also note the slight smile. We don’t think she’s smirking because she isn’t taking her sentence seriously - we actually think she was sincere when she told reporters that she was scared of going to jail.

So why the smile? We think she just really enjoyed her cavity search…

Additional reading: Paris — smilin’ in the slammer - TMZ.

Related: In case Los Angelinos are wondering why the air feels a bit cleaner today.