Lindsay Wants Restraining Order Against Paparazzi

Lindsay Lohan believes she's being denied driving privileges because the paparazzi are constantly on her tail ... so she's asking her lawyer to get a restraining order prohibiting them from chasing her.

As first reported, the L.A. County Probation Department -- along with the DMV -- have given Lindsay the green light to drive again. And Betty Ford was down with it as well.

But sources involved in the decision tell TMZ ... just when Lindsay was supposed the get the keys, Betty Ford decided it was too much of a safety risk to put Lindsay behind the wheel, because the paparazzi were creating an unsafe driving situation.

We're told Lindsay emailed her lawyer this weekend -- with pictures attached showing the paps following her -- asking the attorney to go to court for the restraining order.

Sources say no decision has been reached on whether a restraining order is a viable option. In the meantime, Lindsay is still stuck in park.

The Royal wedding: Will the paparazzi doom romance?

Commentators wonder if Prince William and Kate Middleton can escape the paparazzi swarm that oppressed his mother, Princess Diana

Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced their engagement and set a date for their wedding next year. Given the role the tabloid press played in Princess Diana's death, commentators are wondering whether the paparazzi will see Kate, in particular, as "fair game." Is being harassed by the paps an inevitable part of the fairy tale, or can the couple ensure their private lives stay private? (Watch Prince Andrew comment on the media obsession)

They'll be targets — if they can't keep the fairy tale alive:Photographers are a lot more ferocious now than in Diana's day, says PR expert Max Clifford, as quoted by CNN. "If you thought it was bad then, just watch." However, "as long as [the couple maintain a] popular and fairy-tale marriage, then the press are going to behave themselves because it will backfire on them."
"Will lawsuit fears keep photographers away from Kate Middleton?"

The Royals are ready to fight: Both the Queen and Prince William are prepared to take legal steps to "draw the line of what's public — and private," says Charlie D'Agata at CBS News. Prince William promised Kate's father that he would protect her from the media, and he "has already made clear he takes a 'zero tolerance' approach to the paparazzi, threatening to take both criminal and civil action against any photographer who steps over the line." The prince blames the paparazzi for his mother's death, and "he's determined his future wife will not have to tolerate the same kind of harassment."
"Queen determined to stop prying photographers"

Who cares? Royals aren't the draw they once were: In Diana's day, she was the primary focus of the paparazzi. Now, celebrities like the Beckhams and Kate Moss are on the same level as the young royals, says Max Cisotti, a paparazzi industry insider, as quoted in the London Evening Standard. "Kate and William are not more valuable than other A-list celebrities."
"Fair game or respect: paparazzi are at odds over pursuing Kate Middleton"

Nicole Richie To Appear In Court Against Paparazzi

Nicole Richie will be in court on Wednesday (December 1) facing-off against a photographer who she says is lurking around the pre-school where daughter Harlow, 2, attends class. According to RadarOnline, Nicole is hoping the judge presiding over the case will issue a permanent restraining order against the individual.

"Nicole's attorneys will put on the stand several preschool teachers from Harlow's school that have witnessed this photographer crossing the line trying to get pictures," a source close to the situation says. "Nicole is fiercely protective of her children, and won't tolerate this. Nicole could testify also."

The source adds that Nicole "is very busy planning her wedding to Joel, but she will drop everything to protect their children."

Nicole is seeking to extend a temporary restraining order – or TRO – against the photographer. According to California law, a temporary restraining order lasts for three weeks, but if the TRO is made permanent it will last up to three years.