Amy Winehouse fights drug charge

Nov 2, 2007, 12:30 GMT

British singer Amy Winehouse is awarded \'Best Artist\' at the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards in Munich, Germany, 01 November 2007. The prizes are awarded the 14th time. EPA/HUBERT BOESL

Amy Winehouse is fighting her drug charge in Norway, so she can tour the US.

The 'Rehab' singer - who was fined $714 by Norwegian police for marijuana possession during her European tour on October 19 - is appealing the charges because it could stop her obtaining a work visa for America.

Amy's lawyer Oleg Kvelstad revealed the 24-year-old singer, her husband Blake Fielder-Civil and hair stylist Alex Foden are appealing because they did not understand the Norwegian-language charges.

He claims they did not understand that paying the fines was the same as pleading guilty.

The trio were arrested in Bergen on October 18 and charged with possessing .25 ounces of marijuana, and held overnight in separate cells. They were released after paying the fines.

Kvelstad said: "This is an appeal of errors police made in the case. The charge could affect her ability to work in the US."

Bergen Police Attorney Rudolf Christoffersen said Amy was questioned by an English-speaking police officer, who translated charges and explained the consequences of accepting the fine.

If the appeals court allows the 'Back to Black' singer to withdraw her acceptance of the fine, the original charges would normally go to trial.

Amy was due to perform at the 2007 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York next Thursday (08.11.07), but has been forced to cancel.

MTV representative Jason Rzepka said: "Due to visa issues, Amy Winehouse will not be able to travel to the States."

(C) BANG Media International