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Los Angeles: the city of stars, sunshine, and endless traffic. It’s no surprise that LA is home to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Celebrities flock here to live the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle, but even the rich and famous aren't immune to making mistakes. One of the most common slip-ups? Getting arrested for a DUI.
In a city where you can easily hail a ride with the tap of an app, it’s certainly a bit baffling that some celebs still choose to get behind the wheel after a few drinks. Whether they live in the hills of Hollywood or are just visiting, the repercussions of a DUI can be severe. It’s a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even our favorite stars. Let’s dive into the cautionary tales of 15 Los Angeles celebrities who learned this the hard way.
Vince Vaughn
Date of Arrest: June 2018
Actor Vince Vaughn, known for his roles in comedies like “Dodgeball” and “Wedding Crashers,” had a less-than-glamorous summer night in 2018 when he was pulled over at a DUI checkpoint in Manhattan Beach. 49 at the time, the actor was initially uncooperative, refusing to step out of his vehicle. Once he finally did, Vaughn failed both the field sobriety and blood alcohol tests, leading to his arrest for a misdemeanor DUI and obstructing an officer. Vaughn’s slight grin in his mugshot suggested he wasn't too fazed by the ordeal, but his night in jail was no laughing matter.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Month Alcohol Program
Debby Ryan
Date of Arrest: April 2016
Disney Channel star Debby Ryan, best known for her role in “Jessie,” found herself in hot water after crashing her Audi into a Mercedes in Los Angeles late one night. The actress, 22 years old at the time, blew a .11 on the breathalyzer—just over the legal limit. Initially charged with two misdemeanors, Ryan struck a plea deal, getting the DUI counts dismissed in exchange for pleading no contest to reckless driving. She promptly tweeted an apology to her fans expressing her regret over the incident. Ryan’s mugshot was not released to the public.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Month Alcohol Program + Community Service
John Stamos
Date of Arrest: June 2015
Beloved “Full House” star John Stamos was arrested in Beverly Hills after numerous reports of erratic driving. Aged 51 at the time, the actor was pulled over and subsequently taken to a hospital due to a possible medical condition. Once there, authorities determined he was under the influence and arrested him. Stamos later tweeted his thanks to fans and the Beverly Hills police for their support and care during the incident. His mugshot was not released to the public.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Month Alcohol Program + 52 Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings + 2 Hours of Addiction Counseling
Lamar Odom
Date of Arrest: August 2013
Basketball star Lamar Odom, known for his NBA career and reality TV presence, had a rough night in August 2013. At 3:25 a.m., Odom was pulled over for swerving his white Mercedes SUV down the highway at 50 mph. The California Highway Patrol had noticed his “serpentine manner” of driving. After a three-mile pursuit, he was pulled over and failed the field sobriety tests spectacularly. Taken to Van Nuys Jail, he refused all chemical tests and was later released on $15,000 bail. The drama didn’t end there—his wife at the time, Khloe Kardashian, took to social media to fiercely defend him amidst rumors and public scrutiny. Odom’s mugshot was not released to the public.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Month Alcohol Counseling + $1,814 in Fines and Fees
Kevin Hart
Date of Arrest: April 2013
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart had a wild ride in April 2013 that ended in handcuffs. The “Laugh At My Pain” star was caught speeding at a hair-raising 90 mph down the Ventura Freeway in his black Mercedes. After nearly colliding with a gas tanker truck, he was pulled over and failed his sobriety tests with flying colors. Ever the comedian, Hart tweeted, “When the cop asked me to take the sobriety test I said ‘WHY WASTE OUR TIME … I’M DRUNK MAN.’” Hart’s mugshot was not released to the public.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Month Alcohol Education + $1,814 in Fines and Fees
Amanda Bynes
Date of Arrest: April 2012
Former Nickelodeon darling Amanda Bynes had a wild ride in April 2012 that landed her behind bars. 26 at the time, the actress was pulled over in West Hollywood at 3 a.m. after she attempted to pass a police car and ended up side-swiping it with her BMW. Sporting a trendy pink hairdo and dramatic eye makeup in her mugshot, Bynes was released later that morning on $5,000 bail. This incident was just the beginning of a series of legal troubles for the actress, who was also involved in multiple hit-and-run cases and had her mental competence questioned in court.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + Alcohol Education + Fines
Jaime Pressly
Date of Arrest: January 2011
“My Name Is Earl” star (and rumored Elvis relative) Jaime Pressly had a night to forget in January 2011 when she was pulled over in Santa Monica for a traffic violation. The actress, who later failed a field sobriety test, had a blood alcohol content of over .20—more than twice the legal limit. Pressly found herself facing DUI charges and a stint in Santa Monica jail.
Sentencing: 3 Years Informal Probation + 6 Month Alcohol Education + Ignition Locking Device
Shia LaBeouf
Date of Arrest: July 2008
“Indiana Jones” star Shia LaBeouf had a wild ride in July 2008 that ended in a rollover crash in Hollywood. The actor, driving north on La Brea Avenue, tried to make a left turn and collided with another vehicle, flipping his car. Officers quickly determined that LaBeouf was visibly intoxicated and arrested him for DUI. The crash left him with injuries to his head, left hand, and knee, while his female passenger and the other driver escaped serious harm. Though DUI charges were dropped, LaBeouf’s refusal to take a chemical test earned him a one-year driver’s license suspension.
Sentencing: Driver’s License Suspended
Craig Robinson
Date of Arrest: June 2008
Craig Robinson, the actor known for his iconic role as Darryl on sitcom “The Office,” had a not-so-funny run-in with the law in June 2008. Pulled over in Culver City for a traffic violation, the police found he was not only under the influence but also had ecstasy and methamphetamine in his car. His arrest led to charges of felony drug possession and a misdemeanor DUI, with Robinson quickly posting a $10,000 bail to get out of jail. His mugshot was not released to the public.
Sentencing: Guilty Plea to Possession of Ecstasy + Drug Counseling Program
Mischa Barton
Date of Arrest: December 2007
Mischa Barton, former star of "The O.C.," had a real-life drama unfold on the streets of West Hollywood in December 2007. The actress was pulled over around 2:45 a.m. for straddling two lanes on La Cienega Boulevard and failing to signal a turn. To make matters worse, she was found to be driving under the influence and without a valid license. Adding to the chaos, Barton had marijuana and a controlled substance in her possession. She spent about seven hours in the West Hollywood jail before being released on $10,000 bail. Barton avoided further jail time by pleading no contest, with charges for marijuana possession dropped and her unlicensed driving reduced to a traffic violation.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + Alcohol Education Class + Fines
Lindsay Lohan
Date of Arrest: May 2007
Actress Lindsay Lohan’s night took a serious turn in May 2007 when she crashed her Mercedes convertible in Beverly Hills around 5:30 a.m. Aged 20 at the time, Lohan was driving west on Sunset Boulevard when she lost control, hitting a curb and some shrubbery. To make matters worse, she left the scene and was later found at a hospital. Authorities also discovered a substance believed to be cocaine in her vehicle. Lohan, known for her roles in "Mean Girls" and "Georgia Rule," was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and driving without a license, casting a long shadow over her career.
Sentencing: Probation + $25,000 Bail + 6 Weeks Rehab
Nicole Richie
Date of Arrest: December 2006
Nicole Richie, who rose to prominence for her role on “The Simple Life” alongside fellow socialite Paris Hilton, had a major run-in with the law in December 2006. The actress was arrested for driving under the influence after getting caught going the wrong way on the 134 Freeway in Burbank. Stopped by officers in the carpool lane, Richie admitted to having smoked marijuana and taken Vicodin. This incident added to her legal woes, recalling her 2003 arrest for heroin possession. Richie managed to avoid a lengthy jail term by accepting a plea deal, which also included serving four days in jail and paying fines.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + Alcohol Education
Paris Hilton
Date of Arrest: September 2006
Paris Hilton's infamous night in September 2006 added yet another headline to her tabloid-filled resume. The socialite was pulled over in her Mercedes-Benz SLR for driving erratically while on a late-night burger run. With a blood-alcohol level right at the legal limit of 0.08 percent, Hilton was handcuffed and booked for DUI, drawing a paparazzi frenzy at the Hollywood police station. The heiress, who once claimed she couldn't stand the taste of alcohol, now faced the harsh reality of her actions.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + Alcohol Education + $1,500 Fines. (Paris’s legal troubles didn’t stop there—she was later caught driving on a suspended license, leading to additional court battles. Ultimately, she pleaded no contest to reckless driving, accepting probation and fines while promising to turn over a new leaf.)
Mel Gibson
Date of Arrest: July 2006
Hollywood heavyweight Mel Gibson had a meltdown of serious proportions in July 2006. Speeding down the highway at 87 mph in a 45 mph zone, the “Passion of the Christ” director was pulled over near his Malibu home. What started as a DUI stop quickly escalated. During the arrest, Gibson launched into a shocking anti-Semitic tirade and questioned the arresting officer’s heritage. His disturbing outburst overshadowed the DUI itself and drew widespread condemnation.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + Alcohol Education + $1,600 Fines
Nick Carter
Date of Arrest: March 2005
Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter hit a sour note in March 2005 when he was arrested for DUI in Huntington Beach. After being stopped for erratic driving, the 25-year-old pop star was taken into custody and held for four hours. Carter blamed the incident on a prescription medication, claiming he didn't know about its interaction with alcohol. This wasn't his first brush with the law—Carter had previously been involved in a nightclub scuffle in 2002.
Sentencing: 3 Years Probation + 3 Months Alcohol Education + $1,200 Fines. (Carter also faced restricted driving privileges for 90 days, adding another chapter to his rocky history. Despite the legal troubles, he continued touring with the Backstreet Boys, hoping to move past the DUI drama.)
Hefty Penalties, Even for Celebrities
Clearly, driving under the influence comes with hefty penalties, even for celebrities. From fines and alcohol education to full-on license suspensions, these stars have faced the music in court.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, it’s crucial to get the right legal help. Get in touch with a reputable DUI Attorney in Los Angeles like William Kroger, who can help you navigate the legal system and work towards the best possible outcome.
Driving under the influence isn't just a problem in Hollywood. Whether you're dealing with a DUI in Santa Monica or another part of LA, it’s important to understand the local laws and consequences. For more information on DUI laws and how to protect your rights in different areas, check out our resources on DUIs in Sherman Oaks, Torrance, and Van Nuys. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Sources:
- Vince Vaughn DUI Arrest - TMZ
- Vince Vaugh DUI Sentencing - USA Today
- Debby Ryan DUI Arrest - Vulture
- Debby Ryan DUI Sentencing - TMZ
- John Stamos DUI Arrest - CNN
- John Stamos DUI Sentencing - NBC News
- Lamar Odom DUI Arrest - CNN
- Lamar Odom DUI Sentencing - CNN
- Kevin Hart DUI Arrest - CNN
- Kevin Hart DUI Sentencing - CBS News
- Amanda Bynes DUI Arrest - Hollywood Reporter
- Amanda Bynes DUI Sentencing - CNN
- Jaime Pressly DUI Arrest - CBS News
- Jaime Pressly DUI Sentencing - CBS News
- Shia LaBeouf DUI Arrest - LA Times
- Shia LaBeouf DUI Sentencing - People
- Craig Robinson DUI - People
- Mischa Barton DUI Arrest - Fox News
- Mischa Barton DUI Sentencing - Today
- Mel Gibson DUI Arrest - ABC News
- Mel Gibson DUI Arrest - Seattle Times
- Lindsay Lohan DUI Arrest - LA Times
- Lindsay Lohan DUI Sentencing - People
- Nicole Richie DUI Arrest - LA Times
- Nicole Richie DUI Sentencing - People
- Paris Hilton DUI Arrest - CBS News
- Paris Hilton DUI Sentencing - ABC News
- Nick Carter DUI Arrest - E News
- Nick Carter DUI Arrest - Today
