The famous five
OJ Simpson
Charged with the murder of his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, the 133 day trial made celebrities of the lawyers, judge and witnesses. Simpson's defence team, led by Johnnie Cochran, was nicknamed the 'Dream Team' by reporters. 100 million viewers tuned in to see the former footballer and Naked Gun star's acquittal. Many black audiences cheered the verdict while white audiences were appalled by it. A civil trail was not so lenient, ordering Simpson to pay over $33m in damages to the victims' families. His daughter Sydney was recently arrested for resisting arrest after a fight at a basketball game.
Martha Stewart
She was America's homemaker-in-chief, with an unblemished reputation until 2002 when she became embroiled in accusations of insider dealing. Last year she was convicted of lying to investigators and sentenced to five months in prison. She was also sentenced to five months of home confinement, which should suit her perfectly. She has said that she is spending her jail time "washing, scrubbing, sweeping, vacuuming, raking leaves, and much more". She also gave out about the prison food, although it is now more wholesome than her image.
Winona Ryder
She may be a relatively minor movie star, who had been caught with $5,500 worth of designer clothes in her bag as she left a Beverley Hills department store, but her 2002 trial was broadcast live across the world. She deliberately dressed as plainly as possible for the verdict and avoided jail, but looked suitably embarrassed when given three years probation, was ordered to pay a fine and do 480 hours community service.
Mike Tyson
In 1992, the former world heavyweight champion was charged with the rape, in an Indiana hotel room, of Miss Black America contestant, 18-year-old Desiree Washington. Following previous accusations of domestic violence and sexual harassment levelled against him, there was great interest in whether one of the world's most famous sportsmen would be sent to jail. He was sentenced to three years, and served the full term. Filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and was most recently arrested after an incident outside a nightclub.
Patty Hearst
When the daughter of industrialist Randolph Hearst was kidnapped in February 1974, by a leftist group called the Symbionese Liberation Army, there was great concern for her. The Hearst family gave $6m worth of food to poor families as a ransom, but heard nothing. That was until she turned up with an assault rifle and robbed a bank. Eventually arrested, during a sensational trial in 1976 Hearst argued she had been coerced, but was convicted and sent to jail. Released in 1979, she was eventually pardoned by Bill Clinton in 2001