The California Highway Patrol turned its investigation into the Simple Life star’s DUI arrest over to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office Wednesday to determine whether Richie should be charged in the case. CHP officials would not disclose their recommendations in the case, but the fact that the D.A. is reviewing the case, as opposed to the city attorney’s office, suggests that the CHP is recommending Richie face a felony charge. A spokesperson for the D.A.’s office did not comment beyond acknowledging that the case had been received and was under review. There was no immediate word from Richie’s camp. Because Richie was previously convicted of drunken driving in 2002, a second conviction would mean a mandatory five-day jail sentence, as well as the loss of her license for one year, under California law. A tentative hearing in the matter has been scheduled for Feb. 7, assuming charges are in fact filed against her. Even if she faces charges, it’s unlikely to affect filming on the fifth installment of The Simple Life in Malibu; Richie and Paris Hilton are slated to resume filming this March. (The Simple Life airs on E! Entertainment Television; E! Online and E! Entertainment are divisions of E! Networks.) This time around, the duo reportedly will toil as counselors at such institutions as a fat camp, a beauty pageant camp and a couples camp, among others. Production on the series was halted in October while Richie sought treatment to determine why she was having difficulty gaining weight.
What a busy day for the LA DA’s office… What I love most about the write up of this story is how E! is happy to mention that this will not affect the filming of Simple Life 5 and also do a plug for what is coming up this season.
Surprising no one, Nicole Richie has been charged with driving under the influence. The misdemeanor charge stems from a Dec. 11 incident in which "The Simple Life" star was pulled over after driving the wrong way on the freeway. Apparently, Richie also had a prior misdemeanor DUI conviction in June 2003, which could affect the outcome of the current case. According to the California vehicle code, if a person is convicted of DUI twice within 10 years, that person can be sentenced to between 90 days and a year in jail, fined between $390 and $1,000, and have driving privileges suspended. Richie's arraignement is scheduled for Feb. 21 in Glendale Superior Court.
I know this old, but bear with me as I catch up! How much do you want to bet that she gets no jail time? She will just have to do community service and E! will turn it into a reality show. Doing the Community with Nicole Richie!
HAS Nicole Richie replaced Benji Madden as the most important person in the life of Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden? Sources close to Richie say she is "moving stuff out of her West Hollywood condo into his Glendale home," and Joel’s bandmate, brother, and next-door neighbor Benji is "furious." The source also said Joel and Nicole "have already become inseparable, and spend almost every night together." Richie is expected to join Madden when he deejays on New Year’s Eve at the Palms Hotel in Vegas – far from Madden’s ex, Hilary Duff, who will celebrate ‘07 at the DKNY Jeans Bash at the Setai in Miami. Richie’s rep didn’t return calls.
The California Highway Patrol turned its investigation into the Simple Life star’s DUI arrest over to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office Wednesday to determine whether Richie should be charged in the case. CHP officials would not disclose their recommendations in the case, but the fact that the D.A. is reviewing the case, as opposed to the city attorney’s office, suggests that the CHP is recommending Richie face a felony charge. A spokesperson for the D.A.’s office did not comment beyond acknowledging that the case had been received and was under review. There was no immediate word from Richie’s camp. Because Richie was previously convicted of drunken driving in 2002, a second conviction would mean a mandatory five-day jail sentence, as well as the loss of her license for one year, under California law. A tentative hearing in the matter has been scheduled for Feb. 7, assuming charges are in fact filed against her. Even if she faces charges, it’s unlikely to affect filming on the fifth installment of The Simple Life in Malibu; Richie and Paris Hilton are slated to resume filming this March. (The Simple Life airs on E! Entertainment Television; E! Online and E! Entertainment are divisions of E! Networks.) This time around, the duo reportedly will toil as counselors at such institutions as a fat camp, a beauty pageant camp and a couples camp, among others. Production on the series was halted in October while Richie sought treatment to determine why she was having difficulty gaining weight.
