Nicole Richie Facing Jail Time?

By: Shannon Gossage

Richie could face jail time if she is found guilty of driving under the influence following Monday’s arrest because of a DUI conviction she received four-years ago. Richie pleaded no contest to driving under the influence in 2002 and received a one-year license suspension and three-year probation. Under California law if Richie is convicted of driving under the influence the judge must impose a jail sentence of a mandatory five consecutive days in county jail and a one-year license suspension. Richie would also be ordered to attend a 90-month alcohol education program.

Richie was arrested Monday after being spotted driving the wrong way on a Burbank freeway. When cops arrived on the scene they found her in her car, parked facing the correct direction in the carpool lane. Richie was alone in the car and talking on her cell phone. She reportedly admitted to the officers that she had smoked marijuana and taken Vicodin before getting behind the wheel of her car.

Richie is now saying that she used the Vicodin, a painkiller, to treat menstrual cramps and says she only takes the drug once a month at the onset of her period. Richie was once hooked on heroin and kicked finally kicked the habit in 2003 after her second stint in rehab. A friend of Richie’s said, "She knows she made a mistake, but overall she’s in a better place. She has come a long way from her heroin days." Richie said in an interview in June, "I never drink anymore at all. I don’t do drugs either. I don’t even drink coffee." Yeah, right. Richie reportedly spent the days before her arrest partying pretty hard. It was alleged that she was out drinking and partying for the six straight nights leading up to her arrest. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call and she will really get clean this time.