Celebrity Justice
Why Nicole Richie Can Still Drive

Posted Jun 1st 2007 4:23PM by TMZ Staff

RichieTMZ ran a story earlier today saying that officials from the DMV and the D.A. couldn't explain why Nicole Richie didn't have her drivers license automatically suspended, more than six months after she was busted driving the wrong way on a Burbank freeway and charged with DUI. After all, Paris had her license suspended 5 months after she was busted for DUI. Well, after more digging, we've finally gotten to the bottom of the mystery.

Under California law, the DMV must suspend the license of anyone busted for driving with a .08 alcohol level or higher. In Richie's case, alcohol was not a factor. At the time of her arrest, Richie admitted she had taken Vicodin and smoked pot, but there were no traces of alcohol, therefore, an automatic suspension was not an option.

If, however, Richie is convicted, her license will be on the line, especially since this is her second DUI in 4 years.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Nicole Richie


Tags: nicole richie, NicoleRichie

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1. People.com noted this months ago. Get with it, TMZ.

Posted at 4:51PM on Jun 1st 2007 by carol

2. oh well im stoned and on perscribed drugs and uh.... i dont eat,..... and uh well i guess i can still drive. ok heres your ticket and have a nice day!

Posted at 4:56PM on Jun 1st 2007 by tnt

3. Oh well then, as long as it was just drugs...

Posted at 4:57PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Lucretius

4. They should be made to watch today's Oprah show about the family who's daughter was killed by a drunk driver and how it devestated their lives. Normally I don't like Oprah, but today's show was a good one and they should all have to sit and talk to the mother who was holding her dead daughters head while watching the firedepartment cut her parent's out of the car. Maybe then they wont be so cavalier about driving after a couple of drinks.

Posted at 4:59PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Kiki

5. These types of driving laws everywhere, but especially in celebrity town, need to be expanded and tightened up to include driving while under the influence of drugs: DUD. Driving while being in a drug-induced stuper is just as dangerous and potentially as lethal as driving while intoxicated. Alcohol is a drug. There shouldn't be any distinction.

Posted at 5:01PM on Jun 1st 2007 by TH

6. And here I was all upset coz I thought she was drinking and driving. Foolish me, it was actually prescription and illegal drugs. Okay now, ALL Hollywood Princesses and Wannabes, its perfectly legal to gobble up your prescription and smoke your illegal drugs and DRIVE all you want. But do not, I repeat, DO NOT at any time consume alcohol if you plan to drive!

Posted at 5:03PM on Jun 1st 2007 by BruceLD

7. I HATE THIS NO TALENT ANOREXIC RICH B!TCH. SHE IS EITHER GOING TO DIE OF COMPLICATIONS FROM BEING ANOREXIC OR DIE OF A DRUG OVER DOSE. JUST HURRY UP AND DIE BECAUSE NO ONE WILL MISS YOU.

Posted at 5:05PM on Jun 1st 2007 by JUST HURRY UP AND DIE BECAUSE NO ONE WILL MISS YOU.

8. Isn't pot illegal in CA? So you can be on ILLEGAL drugs and STILL keep your license? Wow! No there is absolutely zero favoritism going on. I think this definitely proves they had it out for Paris and are just using her to prove a point. I bet both Lindsay and Nicole never get a lick of jail time even though what they did was worse than what Paris did.

Posted at 5:07PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Brittany

9. I thought a DUI was Driving Under the Influence?? Meaning driving under ANY influence of ANY mind altering substance?? Not just alcohol?? Am I missing something here??

Posted at 5:09PM on Jun 1st 2007 by BeeBee

10. Her mugshot's the best picture I've ever seen of her.

Posted at 5:10PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Earl

11.
I won't even drive if I have a headache. People are willing to risk just not their lives that they don't value, but ours, innocent people who have did nothing to deserve their selfish behavior.

Posted at 5:12PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Ann

12. CA is more worried about taking "God" off our money, and out of our schools, than about a silly little thing as minor as aids, coke heads, druggies, alcoholics driving around.

Maybe God is giving CA a little "object" lesson with so many young people destroying their lives, rampant fires, mudslides - makes me wonder if CA is eventually going to break off into the Pacific!

Parasite - are you listening?? Don't clinch that bible too tight, it might start sizzling!

Nicole - you are an embarrassment to your daddy - he should have whipped your ass years ago

Posted at 5:21PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Trainwrecks, Alcohol & Coke

13. Driving the wrong way on a freeway, she could have killed many innocent
people. Just because she's "somebody" doesn't give her free passes.
She's part of the Waste Of Air & Skin Club. Please email for a list of members.

Posted at 5:22PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Prnzez

14. I got a DUI in CA. We were told that if we get at second DUI within 10 years, yes 10 years, we get jail and license suspension for a long long time. Penalties are much much worse than for first DUI. Second offense of DUI are very serious, at least for the rest of us.

Posted at 5:23PM on Jun 1st 2007 by skip

15. She is going to die one way or the other , the odds are stacked against her! I guess her father (Mr.Richie) doesn't love her enough to take charge of her life. But, I guess because she's not his REAL daughter he doesn't care enough....!

Posted at 5:41PM on Jun 1st 2007 by Who cares anyway?

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