Lindsay Lohan boards private jet from New York as she races against the clock to make it back to LA for court appearance

Lindsay Lohan boards private jet from New York as she races against the clock to make it back to LA for court appearance

• Actress' private plane was diverted to LAX and landed at 8:35am
  
• Risked judge issuing a bench warrant after she failed to make it to court by 8:30am
• Her attorney Mark Heller was seen driving away from courthouse minutes after his arrival and returned with the actress
• Lohan cancelled cross-country flight Saturday
  
• Decided not to fly on another booked ticket on Sunday night amid fears of 'fuel leak'
• Faces charges of reckless driving, providing false information to an officer and willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer
• Lawyers meeting with judge to determine if Lohan will go to jail or avert trial 
  

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 02:05 EST, 18 March 2013 | UPDATED: 12:51 EST, 18 March 2013

Lindsay Lohan has arrived in court for a hearing that will determine whether the actress goes to jail or averts a trial on charges that she lied to police.

The troubled 26-year-old actress took a red-eye from New York to Los Angeles in a last-minute bid to make the 8:30am hearing after she deplaned an earlier commercial flight amid safety concerns.

In the mad dash to avoid a bench warrant being issued for her arrest Lohan's private plane landed five minutes after she was due to appear at the courthouse where a judge awaited her appearance.

She arrived 48 minutes later, and lawyers are now meeting with the judge.

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She made it: Lindsay Lohan arrived to a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday morning, nearly an hour after she was scheduled to appear before a judge

Make way! Lohan's lawyer Mark Heller, right, tries to squeeze past the crowd with his client's escorts

Lohan appeared to have time to make a quick change. Last seen wearing all black in New York, she arrived to the courthouse in a white and rose coloured blouse, sheer white skinny pants and grey heels.

She shielded her eyes with round sunglasses as she was escorted inside amid a flurry of reporters.

Despite the entourage a bystander managed to maneuver through the crowd to throw gold glitter confetti on the star as she made her way in.

According to the New York Daily News, Lohan's lawyer at one point leaned into the actress and indicated he hoped the hearing would end promptly.

'And then you can go surfing,' he is quoted as saying, inspiring a laugh from the star.

According to Entertainment Tonight, Lohan's plane landed at Atlantic Aviation at Los Angeles International Airport rather than Van Nuys airport, where she was initially scheduled to deplane.

The 26-year-old secured a flight aboard a private jet to get her back to Los Angeles in time for her court appearance on Monday morning.

All decked out: The actress wore a white and rose coloured blouse paired with sheer white pants and grey heels

Something to smile about? The actress flashed a smirk on her way in

Deep breath: Lohan did look slightly frazzled as she walked to the courthouse doors

Head down: Lohan shielded her face with large round sunglases

She is in a race against the clock to make it back from New York to attend her scheduled trial over charges that she violated her probation last June.

A source told E! News that Lindsay was able to secure a flight on a private jet that was delayed slightly as the plane will have to make one stop to refuel along the way.

The plane appears to have been provided by a Los Angeles-based energy drink company for which she has made promotional appearances.

'Thanks Mr. Pink for the private jet see you all in a few hours in LA,' Lohan tweeted early Monday morning, referring to the firm.

Glitter bombed: The Mean Girls star was showered with gold glitter confetti on her way in

This way please: An escort showed Lohan the way as she smiled amid a flurry of photographers

Stand back: Officers direct reporters to leave a path for the actress

Almost there: Her appearance drew a crowd that had waited over an hour for her to show

Facing the court in style: The actress made time for a quick change into her chic white and rose coloured attire

 VIDEO  Lohan rolls up late (one of her team falls over a concrete post in rush) 

The actress' mother Dina is is not believed to be with her on her mad dash back to court.

If her plane does arrive at 7.30am it should take around 25 minutes to drive from LAX to the courthouse, which is just less than 20 miles away.

The troubled star was spotted frantically trying to get a flight from JFK Airport on Sunday night after choosing to get off her initially scheduled flight.

She was originally scheduled to return to California on Saturday, but decided to attend a gig in New York instead and fly back 24 hours later.

The Liz & Dick actress skipped her flight on Saturday to see a band called City of the Sun at The Red Door club in Manhattan.

Representation: Lindsay Lohan's attorney, Mark Heller, arrived to the courthouse with the actress

First time around: Heller arrived at court this morning before the actress but left shortly after

Suited up: Heller was escorted to court surrounded by a flurry of reporters

That didn't take long: Heller was pictured leaving minutes after his arrival

She then decided to get off her flight back to Los Angeles on Sunday night after deeming the plane too unsafe.

According to TMZ, Lohan deplaned when she learned there was a fuel leak.

Sources close to the troubled star say 35 other passengers also got off the flight, which did in fact get diverted to Las Vegas for more fuel before continuing to Los Angeles.

Tempus fugit: Lindsay Lohan arrived at New York's JFK airport early on Monday morning to fly back by private jet to LA for her trial at 8.30am

Facing a bench warrant: Lindsay Lohan in peril of missing her Monday court date in LA after exiting her flight on Sunday night due to the plane being too unsafe

Did it save the day? Lohan tweeted this message early Monday morning as she boarded a private plane in a race to make her court appearance

If the Just My Luck star fails to appear in Los Angeles at 8:30am on Monday the judge is expected to issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

Lohan was charged with three misdemeanors stemming from her June 8 car crash in Santa Monica, including reckless driving, providing false information to an officer and willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer .

She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

TMZ also learned that if the Mean Girls actress is convicted of lying to cops, prosecutors plan to ask the judge to sentence her the maximum - 240 days in jail.

However it's said that Lohan, who is facing another two years of probation, will probably only serve between 60 and 90 days in the slammer.

Even if she isn't convicted, the Liz & Dick star faces up to 245 days in jail if a judge determines she violated her probation in a 2011 jewellery theft case.

Awaiting her arrival: Michael Lohan made it to the at the Los Angeles courthouse before daughter Lindsay Lohan on Monday

'We will be there Monday': Fox News legal analyst David Wohl from Orange County criminal law firm Wallin & Klarich stepped up with an offer to represent Lohan

The flame-haired actress also has yet to officially hire a new lawyer.

Her current counsel, New York-based attorney Mark Heller, drew ire from a judge who questioned his knowledge of California law during a pre-trial hearing.

Heller heeded the warning and sought assistance from respected Orange County criminal law firm Wallin & Klarich, who offered up Fox News legal analyst David Wohl.

'@lindsaylohan My law firm was hired by your Dad. He wants nothing but the best for you. We will be there Monday to help, if we're allowed,' the California court veteran tweeted on Friday.

She also needs a new lawyer: Her current counsel, Mark Heller, drew ire from a judge in January who questioned his knowledge of California law, as he currently practices in New York

However, Lindsay is yet to approve Wohl as her representation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Paul Wallin, a partner at Wallin & Klarich, told the newspaper: 'We are awaiting Ms. Lohan's approval. Mr. Heller made the request. The court and our firm want to ensure the integrity of this case.'

In her current case, Lohan and Heller have apparently been unable to broker a plea deal. Heller has said that his client does not need rehab, but should be allowed to continue to undergo psychotherapy to address issues raised by her turbulent upbringing.

Heller has also sought a delay in the trial, but was rebuked last year by Superior Court Judge James R. Dabney, who said Lohan's misdemeanor case should be resolved quickly.

Fuel leak: The troubled starlet and 35 other passengers got off the flight, which did in fact get diverted to Las Vegas for more fuel

The former Disney star has been under some form of probation since she was arrested twice in 2007 for driving under the influence, and her court troubles have stifled a once-promising career.

Lohan's return to acting last year in the Lifetime movie Liz & Dick was widely panned by critics and viewers. Her upcoming film by Bret Easton Ellis, The Canyons, co-starring porn star James Deen, is yet to be released.

The Playboy cover girl will next be seen in InAPPropriate Comedy - due out on March 22 - alongside Rob Schneider, Michelle Rodriguez and Adrien Brody.

Lohan will also star in horror spoof Scary Movie 5, set for release on April 12.