Due to a previous DUI charge, Nicole Richie will go to jail if she is convicted of driving under the influence for the second time. California law states that a repeat offence carries the mandatory sentence of five consecutive days in county jail. 'The Simple Life' star was charged for the offence on November 11th, 2006.
Nicole Richie was arrested after California Highway Patrol officers responded to two 911 callers who reported seeing a 2005 black Mercedes SUV going the wrong way on the 134 Highway. Richie was found alone and talking on her cell phone when officers approached her car. "She told (them) she was lost, and had been following a friend," A source tells People Magazine.
Richie was put through a series of field sobriety tests, which she failed. "She was not given a Breathalyzer because the officers didn't believe she was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage," Workman says. Richie admitted she had taken Vicodin and smoked pot. Since the story broke, photos of rolling papers on her Richie’s dashboard have surfaced as well as photos of Nicole being handed a pipe from a friend.
Her first DUI arrested was in 2002 when she told the police she had eaten French fries and took down one vodka shot. Nicole pleaded no contest to the charge, was sentenced to three years probation and had her driving license suspended for one year. Six months later, Nicole was arrested for possession of heroin and for driving with a suspended license. Friends have told the media that the Vicodin was to relieve menstrual pain but they did not elaborate on the pot. A source told Us Weekly magazine: "She knows she made a mistake, but overall she's in a better place. She has come a long way from her heroin days." The friend also claimed that Nicole actually weighs 95 pounds, not 85 pounds as stated in the police report. The source added: "She's so proud of her weight gain. She doesn't know where the cops came up with 85 pounds and it's annoying to her."
Besides jail time, if convicted, Nicole Richie will lose her drivers license for one year and be ordered to attend an alcohol education program for a 18 months. This rule applies even if the second conviction does not involve alcohol. Nicole Richie is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie. Lionel Richie’s album “Coming Home” has been nominated in the “Best R&B Album” category at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.
