BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Sticky-fingered actress Winona Ryder reported to a Beverly Hills judge today for a progress report on her shoplifting probation, earning good marks for completing all 480 hours of community service at a local organization.

Judge Eldon Fox announced he had received "very complimentary calls" about Ryder's time at City of Hope, a Duarte, Calif.-based center for the study of life-threatening diseases .

"It's been an amazing experience for her," said her attorney, Mark Geragos.  The lawyer said Ryder has formed "lasting relationships" with the children at City of Hope and continued her volunteer committment even after her community service was completed.

Ryder was convicted on Nov. 6, 2002, of grand theft and felony vandalism for a shoplifting spree at the Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue.  Fox ordered the 31-year-old actress to perform 480 hours of community service, to undergo drug and psychological counseling, and to pay more than $10,000 in fines and restitution.

The doe-eyed ingenue arrived at the Beverly Hills courthouse teetering on 3-inch pair of black, patent leather stiletto heels.  Since her conviction, Ryder has participated in a marketing campaign for designer Marc Jacobs, whose clothes were among the items she attempted to steal by cutting free the embedded security tags.

On Monday, Ryder wore a black wrap-around jacket and a white blouse, and carried a white purse into court, where she greeted the sheriff's deputy and court clerk with handshakes and a wide smile. 

During Ryder's two-week trial, security guards at Saks testified they found more than $5,600 worth of high-end clothing concealed in her shopping bags after nabbing her outside the store on Dec 12, 2001.

On Monday, behind-the-scenes efforts by Saks executives to keep the stolen clothing, which remains in evidence, under wraps, came out in court.

Saks representatives, said Judge Fox, had requested that the security tapes showing Ryder shopping be returned, but that all of the items of clothing be destroyed.

"It seems to be a waste to destroy it for no good reason except Saks doesn't want it out there," countered Geragos, adding that a charity auction of the clothes would be better than "burning them in a bonfire."

Fox said he would mull alternatives to destroying the expensive evidence—for which Ryder has already reimbursed Saks—but needed time to consider the issue further.

Her community service completed, the Academy Award-nominated actress will now focus on completing her drug and psychiatric counseling.

According to a probation report released after Ryder's November trial, Ryder was carrying a number of painkillers, from Valium to Demerol, the day she was arrested and also aggressively "doctor shopped" around the Los Angeles area to receive multiple prescriptions for some drugs.

University of California-Los Angeles psychiatrist Heather Krell gave Ryder a good review in a report released Monday.  Ryder, said Krell, "actively participates, is motivated to improve, and is progressing as expected." 

But Krell recommended that Ryder continue her therapy, and Judge Fox concurred.  Fox sealed other court records about Ryder's therapy progress.

In a move that could free Ryder to jump start her career, which stalled after the 2002 movie "Mr. Deeds," Fox said he would allow the actress to travel out of the state to make films.

"I want you to continue what you have been doing," said the jurist.  "Good luck."

Ryder is scheduled for yet another progress report on Oct. 10, 2003.