Unlike most nonfamous civilians, when a celebrity is charged with a crime, the case tends to make national headlines. In recent celebrity news, TV actor Charlie Sheen reached a plea agreement to resolve the domestic violence charges against him.
The 44-year-old actor was initially charged with second-degree assault and menacing and criminal mischief last December following an altercation with wife Brooke Mueller. Under the plea deal, Sheen is pleading guilty to a misdemeanor third-degree assault count and will serve his 30-day jail term in a Malibu jail. He must also attend rehabilitation. Time that the actor has already spent in rehab will be factored into his sentence.
Sheen must also complete 36 hours of domestic violence treatment and three months of unsupervised probation. The actor’s sentence will allow him to return to the set of his show “Two and a Half Men” in time for filming of the new season.
In another celebrity criminal case, actress Lindsey Lohan was released from jail after serving 13 days of a 90-day sentence. She was immediately sent to rehab. TMZ says she is being treated for an amphetamine addiction and for bipolar disorder.
Lohan had violated probation for a 2007 drunk driving charge because she did not show up for alcohol education classes. Her jail sentence was reduced because of an early-release program that combats overcrowding in the Los Angeles jail system and for good behavior. The 24-year-old movie star has admitted that she has an alcohol and drug problem.
Charlie Sheen to serve Aspen ‘jail’ term in Malibu rehab, CNN, August 4, 2010
Lindsay Lohan Released From Jail Into Rehab, ABC News, August 2, 2010
Charlie Sheen arrested on felony charges in Aspen, Colo., Los Angeles Times, December 25, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Celebrity Crimes, Yahoo News
Plea bargain, Cornell University Law School
Massachusetts Probation Service Fact Sheet, The Massachusetts Court System
Our Boston criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout the state. Do not despair if you have been charged with a crime. That’s why it is important that you retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable Massachusetts criminal defense team.