Three’s Company Star Joyce DeWitt Gets Probation for DUI Conviction
By Jim Greene
Published on June 11, 2010
Former sitcom star Joyce DeWitt has been sentenced to three years' probation and a nine-month alcohol education program after pleading no contest to a drunk-driving charge in Los Angeles County Superior Court. DeWitt, 61, is best known for her role as Janet Wood in the 1970s TV comedy Three's Company.
On July 4 of last year, police in the Los Angeles suburb of El Segundo charged DeWitt with driving under the influence (DUI) and driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, both misdemeanors. They said her actual BAC was 0.15 percent.
One Charge Dropped in Exchange for No Contest Plea
Attorney Richard Hutton appeared on DeWitt's behalf at the LAX Airport Courthouse to enter a plea of no contest to the latter charge, in exchange for which the former charge was dropped. In addition to probation and the alcohol program, DeWitt will pay a fine of $510, plus penalty assessments, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office representative Jane Robison.
According to El Segundo Police Sgt. Dan Kim, DeWitt was detained after she drove a black sports car around a barricade at the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks display and staggered toward a uniformed motorcycle officer. Because she appeared to be intoxicated, police said they performed field sobriety tests and took DeWitt to a police station.
The actress spent the night in jail and was released on $5,000 bail the next morning.
If you've been arrested for driving under the influence, contact an experienced DUI attorney. Many DUI charges are dropped because of insufficient evidence or improper procedure. Your attorney will know how best to take advantage of your rights as a defendant. If you are convicted, the courts have several sentencing options. Your attorney will fight to ensure that your punishment is just.
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