Nicole Richie Charged with a Misdemeanor DUI in Burbank, California

GLENDALE – Nicole Richie, who stars with Paris Hilton on the television show "The Simple Life," was charged today with one count of misdemeanor DUI, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Arraignment for the 25-year-old is set for Feb. 21 in Department 1 of Glendale Superior Court, said Deputy District Attorney Edwin Greene, deputy in charge of the Glendale office. Because it is a misdemeanor count, Richie will not have to appear in court for arraignment.

Richie was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers after she was allegedly driving the wrong way on the 134 Freeway in Burbank in the early morning hours of Dec. 11. Motorists had reported that a sport utility vehicle was traveling east in the westbound lanes of the 134 Freeway, near the Buena Vista Street entrance in Burbank, the CHP said. When officers arrived, they found Richie had stopped in the carpool lane and was the lone occupant of the vehicle. She is charged with being under the influence of “an alcoholic beverage and a drug.”