A joint before the joint? Prison-bound Paris pictured smoking cannabis

Just when she thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, pictures have surfaced of Paris Hilton surreptitiously smoking cannabis.

The 26-year-old heiress was photographed allegedly smoking a joint while backstage at last month's Coachella music festival.

Paris Hilton allegedy puffed on a joint while at a music festival last month

Paris attended the event with a group of pals weeks before her court hearing, but clearly wasn't concerned about keeping out of trouble ahead of the case.

Hilton now faces a 45-day jail term for for driving while her licence was suspended.

As it stands, Hilton - who has appealed to the Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger for a pardon via an online petition - is scheduled to be admitted to jail on June 5.

The heiress chilled with pals back stage at the event

Hilton sought help from above - she attended a church service LA on May 13

The online Free Paris Hilton petition has gathered more than 25,000 signatures - but unfortunately for the reality TV star, a rival campaign, Jail Paris Hilton, is twice as popular, with more than 60,000 supporters.

Hilton can expect tough conditions at LA's Century Regional Detention Center where is set to serve her time.

Her cell will be approximately 12 feet by 8 feet and feature very basic amenities such as a sink, toilet and mirror.

According to reports, inmates are forbidden from wearing makeup and hair extensions, and are allowed only two pairs of socks and underpants.

Hilton, who has been making the most of her freedom with bike rides, shopping trips and even a church visit, is said to be in a fragile state of mind as her sentence looms.

Dr. Charles Sophy, Hilton's psychiatrist, wrote in a report: "She is emotionally distraught and traumatized as a consequence of the findings at the May 4 hearing, the jail sentence imposed upon her by the judge, and her fear of incarceration."

The assessment was part of a document given to an LA court in relation to £5 million slander and libel suit against Hilton by actress Zeta Graff.

Hilton is scheduled to testify in the trial next week, however Dr. Sophy contends that in her current state, she is "not capable of any meaningful participation in a trial."