Paris Hilton admits cocaine possession

Paris Hilton stands in front of the judge with attorneys David Chesnoff (C) and Richard Schonfeld at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada September 20, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

Paris Hilton waits in the courtroom at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada September 20, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

Hilton was charged with possessing 0.8 grams of cocaine found in a purse. The former reality TV star initially denied the purse belonged to her, resulting in an additional charge of obstructing police.

"I was in possession as well as telling the officer the purse was not mine," Hilton, dressed demurely in a silk blouse and black skirt, told the court.

Asked what drug she was carrying, Hilton answered, "Cocaine."

Hilton spent three weeks in jail in Los Angeles in 2007 for violating probation on a reckless driving charge. In July, she was briefly detained in South Africa on suspicion of marijuana possession but was released without charge.

Her lawyer, David Chesnoff, told reporters outside the Las Vegas court that Hilton was contrite "and accepts responsibility for her actions."

"She was treated like anybody else would be treated under the circumstances," Chesnoff said.