DUI Charge for Nicole Richie

By: Shannon Gossage

Since Richie has a prior DUI conviction she faces a mandatory jail sentence of 90 days to one year if convicted a second time according to California law. Richie was previously convicted of a DUI in June 2003 and was given three years probation. On December 11 Richie was seen driving the wrong way on 134 Highway in California. When police made it to the scene Richie’s car was stopped facing the wrong way in a carpool lane and Richie was talking on her cell phone.

Police administered a standard field sobriety test that Richie failed. The police reported that Richie admitted to the officers that she had smoked marijuana and taken Vicodin before getting behind the wheel. Richie was arrested at the scene and booked at approximately 4:50 a.m. She was released on $15,000 bail and was released at 7 a.m. Her attorney, Howard Weitzman, said at the time of her arrest, "This is a difficult time for Nicole, but she is prepared to accept whatever responsibility is appropriate. She intends to continue with her career and will deal with any other issues that need to be addressed."

Officers at the scene said that Richie was very "humble and cooperative." Richie is set to be arraigned on February 21 in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Glendale, California. If convicted, it is possible that Richie will be ordered to complete a year-and a-half alcohol education course and will have her driver’s license suspended for one-year.