Celebrity Law Breakers -- Why They Get Off (2)
Incident: Britney Spears drove last February with her 4-month-old son, Sean Preston, sitting on her lap, without a child restraint. (Read the article: Exclusive: DCFS Investigates Britney)
Stakes: California law requires drivers to secure children sitting in the front seat who are under a year old or under 20 pounds. A violation is punishable by a fine of $100, except the court may reduce or waive the fine if the defendant is economically disadvantaged. We're pretty sure Britney isn't.
Dispo: The L.A. County Sheriff's Department did not pursue the case against Spears, because the offense requires that an officer witness it and that didn't happen. The Department of Children and Family Services paid a visit to Spears after the incident but we're told no formal action was taken.
Britney's child mishaps continued, the latest being an incident in which Spears stumbled outside the Ritz Carlton in New York City and nearly dropped SPF on the ground. She then muttered, "This is why I need a gun."
Britney is now expecting child number two.
Incident: Jesse McCartney, 18 at the time, photographed clutching a Corona in the 21-and-over Hollywood club Mood. (Read the article: Exclusive: Underage Stars Party Illegally at Clubs)
Stakes: For a minor in possession of alcohol -- are you listening Jesse? -- it is a $250 fine or as much as 32 hours of community service.
Dispo: Jesse wasn't cited. We wanted to know why. The California Alcholic Beverage Control (ABC) told TMZ that in order to nail Jesse, someone from the agency must witness the incident. A photo isn't enough.
By the way, Mood risks losing its license when it serves to underage patrons or even allows them into the club. Although TMZ has video of underage celebs entering the club, including Mary-Kate Olsen, Lindsay Lohan and others, Mood has never been cited by the ABC. An ABC spokesman tells TMZ they have now launched an official investigation.
