Lindsay Lohan judge, Stephanie Sautner, to retire

Lindsay Lohan will no longer face her judicial nemesis Stephanie Sautner -- who ordered the actress to janitorial duty at the L.A. County morgue -- because the judge is retiring before the actress' next hearing.

The no-nonsense ex-New York cop turned L.A. County Superior Court judge announced Wednesday at the Airport Courthouse that she was retiring before March 1.

Before her announcement, she set a March 1 pretrial hearing for Lohan and a March 18 trial date on the actress' three misdemeanor charges related to a Pacific Coast Highway traffic accident.

Over the years, as Lohan's legal woes dragged on with jail time and probation orders, Sautner had some choice words for the troubled actress.

Last March, as Sautner ended Lohan's five years of supervised probation, the judge couldn't help but offer some sage advice to the actress known for her hard-partying ways.

"I am not going to give you a lecture," Sautner told Lohan in court. "Live your life in a more mature way. Stop the nightclubbing and focus on your work. OK?"

In December 2011, when Lohan completed 12 days of court-ordered community service at the L.A. County coroner's office ahead of schedule, Sautner teased, "I think she likes to come here and see me. I think that's motivation."

At that same court appearance, Sautner went over the travel rules with Lohan after the actress had just returned from Hawaii to celebrate her sister's birthday, with her probation officer's OK.

"You cannot leave the state except for work" between court appearances unless the required community service and counseling are done, Sau! tner told Lohan. However, once the minimum was completed each month, she could travel "for pleasure, for any reason ... to go to a spa."

Sautner could also be complimentary when warranted. In January 2012, as Lohan appeared to be turning over a new leaf and completing her community service, Sautner remarked: "She has done it all on schedule. Keep doing what you are doing. You appear to be doing it well."

In her latest brush with the law, Lohan is charged with lying to Santa Monica police, reckless driving and willfully obstructing a police officer.

She was on probation for a 2011 jewelry theft conviction, but the probation was revoked because of the new charges.

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-- Richard Winton

Photo: L.A. County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner. Credit: David McNew / AFP/Getty Images