People News

Nicole Richie charged with misdemeanor DUI

By Stone Martindale Feb 16, 2007, 21:54 GMT

Nicole Richie - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

LOS ANGELES - Nicole Richie was charged Friday with misdemeanor driving under the influence reports the Los Angeles Times.

In addition, the case contains information that Richie has a prior conviction, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.

The complaint alleges “The Simple Life” star was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and an unspecified drug when she was arrested Dec. 11, said prosecution spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons to the media.

Arraignment for Richie was scheduled for Feb. 21th in suburban Glendale Superior Court.

Richie, 25, was arrested after she was reported driving the wrong way on the 134 freeway in Burbank, around 12:30 a.m.

Richie failed a field sobriety test the night of her arrest, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP Officer Todd Workman said at the time that Richie volunteered information that she had smoked marijuana and taken the prescription painkiller Vicodin, but no drugs were found on her or in the car.