A plan to organise an online petition urging California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon Paris Hilton from her 45-day jail sentence has backfired badly.

The Free Paris Hilton petition, set up after her sentence for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case, has so far attracted 27,274 signatures, although none of the signatories has given their name or made any comment. 

"This petition is to ask Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon Paris Hilton for her mistake. Please allow her to her return to her career and life," the online petition reads.

"Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic, and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the judge handling her case in court yesterday. She is distraught and understandably afraid."

But it seems that there is little support among the online community for any leniency for the heiress. A Jail Paris Hilton petition calling for the heiress to be jailed for the full term has received 73,671 responses. 

The Jail Paris Hilton site reads: "Her actions indicate that she feels the law doesn't apply to her as she has repeatedly flaunted the law in full view of witnesses, often paparazzi and camera crews.

"This petition asks Governor Schwarzenegger to ignore other petitions asking for clemency and show the people of California that no one is above the law."