Actresses Accused of Crimes

Stories about actresses facing legal trouble have ranged from headline grabbing arrests to quieter cases that ended in fines, probation, or dismissed charges. Some incidents involved protests and civil disobedience, while others centered on theft, DUIs, or tax issues. Outcomes varied widely, from brief jail time to community service and treatment programs. Here are notable examples and what officially happened in each case.

Winona Ryder

In 2001 she was arrested in Beverly Hills on shoplifting charges after items were taken from a department store. She was later convicted of grand theft and vandalism. The court ordered probation, community service, restitution, and counseling. She completed the terms and the case closed without further incidents.

Lindsay Lohan

She faced multiple arrests starting in 2007 that involved DUI cases and probation violations. In 2011 she was also accused of taking a necklace from a jewelry store and reached a plea deal that included probation and community service. Various court appearances followed due to compliance issues. She later fulfilled the required terms to resolve the matters.

Felicity Huffman

In 2019 she was charged in the college admissions case for paying to alter her child’s test score. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy related offenses. The sentence included a short prison term, supervised release, a fine, and community service. She completed the custodial portion within the same year.

Lori Loughlin

She was charged in the same college admissions investigation in 2019. In 2020 she pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts connected to payments for her daughters’ admissions profiles. The court imposed a short prison sentence, supervised release, a fine, and community service. She served her time and was released after completing the term.

Amanda Bynes

She was arrested in 2012 in Los Angeles on suspicion of DUI and later faced separate hit and run allegations. The DUI case was resolved when she pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving. She received probation and a requirement to complete an alcohol education program. Subsequent legal matters were addressed alongside mental health treatment.

Reese Witherspoon

In 2013 she was arrested in Atlanta for disorderly conduct during a traffic stop involving her husband. She later entered a plea that led to a fine. The DUI charge in the incident applied to her husband rather than her. She publicly acknowledged the incident and complied with the court’s resolution.

Shailene Woodley

She was arrested in 2016 while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota. Authorities charged her after she entered the construction area during a demonstration. She entered a plea that resulted in a year of unsupervised probation. The case highlighted the legal risks tied to civil disobedience at large protests.

Jane Fonda

She was detained in 1970 at a Cleveland airport when officials suspected pills in her luggage were illegal, which laboratory testing showed were vitamins, and the case was dropped. In 2019 she was arrested several times during climate change demonstrations in Washington, D.C. Those arrests were related to unlawful assembly during organized protests. She was processed and released after each event as part of planned civil actions. The incidents were intended to draw attention to policy issues.

Sophia Loren

In 1982 she was convicted in Italy of filing an incorrect tax return for a prior year. She served a short sentence at a women’s facility near Naples. The case involved disputed calculations rather than allegations of hidden income. She completed the sentence and later resolved related tax matters.

Heather Locklear

She was arrested in 2018 in Ventura County after a domestic disturbance call, with additional counts tied to contact with responding personnel. Subsequent legal proceedings led to a plea to misdemeanor charges. The court placed her on probation and ordered a residential treatment program. Compliance with mental health and sobriety conditions was part of the outcome.

Michelle Rodriguez

Her legal issues began with a DUI case in 2003, followed by probation violations that led to brief jail terms. In 2006 she again faced DUI charges and served additional time due to probation issues. Court orders included alcohol education and community service. She eventually completed the requirements to close the cases.

Yasmine Bleeth

She was arrested in 2001 in Michigan after a car crash led to the discovery of cocaine. She reached a plea agreement that put her on probation with mandatory drug testing and community service. A later court review found she had complied with the program terms. The case was resolved after successful completion.

Tatum O’Neal

In 2008 she was arrested in New York on a misdemeanor charge after attempting to buy crack cocaine. She pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and entered treatment. The court required community service as part of the disposition. She complied with the conditions and the case concluded.

Naya Rivera

She was arrested in 2017 in West Virginia on a misdemeanor domestic battery allegation following a dispute. Prosecutors later dismissed the charge after the complainant withdrew. No further criminal action followed in the matter. The case ended without a conviction.

Shannen Doherty

In 1993 she was arrested in Los Angeles for drunk driving after officers stopped her vehicle. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and received fines, probation, and alcohol education. The court monitored compliance for a set period. She completed the terms and the case closed.

Paris Hilton

She was arrested in 2006 for DUI in Los Angeles and placed on probation. In 2007 she was sentenced to jail for driving on a suspended license that stemmed from the DUI case. She served part of a 45 day sentence before being released early due to jail procedures. The court also required alcohol education and ongoing probation compliance.

Halle Berry

She was involved in a 2000 traffic incident in Los Angeles that led to a misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene. She pleaded no contest and received probation, community service, and a fine. The case focused on the collision and her responsibilities under California law. She completed the sentence terms set by the court.

Emma Roberts

She was arrested in 2013 in Montreal after a domestic dispute was reported to police. She was released without charges after the complainant declined to pursue the case. Authorities confirmed no further action would be taken. The matter ended without a conviction.

Natasha Lyonne

She was arrested in 2001 for DUI in Miami Beach. In the years that followed she faced additional legal issues tied to substance use and nonappearance in court. Resolutions included plea agreements, probation requirements, and treatment. She later completed court ordered programs and closed the cases.

Mischa Barton

She was arrested in 2007 in West Hollywood on suspicion of DUI and possession of marijuana and for driving without a valid license. She accepted a plea agreement that included probation and an alcohol education program. The court also imposed fines and monitoring for a set period. She satisfied the conditions to resolve the case.

Nicole Richie

She was arrested in 2006 for DUI after officers reported she was driving the wrong way on a freeway. In 2007 she was sentenced to a short jail term, probation, and an alcohol education program. Due to local procedures she served only a brief time in custody. She completed the remaining court requirements.

Bai Ling

She was arrested in 2008 at Los Angeles International Airport for shoplifting merchandise from a store. She later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor petty theft. The court ordered a fine and community service. After compliance the case was closed.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

She was arrested in 1989 in Beverly Hills after an encounter with a motorcycle officer during a traffic stop. A jury convicted her of battery and related violations such as driving without a valid license. The sentence included a short jail term, a fine, and community service. She completed the imposed penalties.

Hedy Lamarr

She was arrested in 1966 in Los Angeles on suspicion of shoplifting from a department store. That case was later dismissed by the court. She faced a separate shoplifting arrest years later in Florida. The matter was resolved through the local court process without a jail sentence.

Brigitte Bardot

She has been convicted several times in France for offenses related to inciting racial hatred based on statements in writings and interviews. Penalties imposed by French courts have included fines and suspended sentences. These cases were prosecuted under national laws governing public speech and discrimination. She paid court ordered fines as part of the outcomes.

Daryl Hannah

She was arrested multiple times during environmental protests, including actions against pipeline projects. Charges typically involved unlawful demonstration or trespassing at permitted sites. She was booked and released after processing and later paid fines or accepted deferred dispositions. The arrests were tied to civil disobedience strategies used by organizers.

Susan Sarandon

She was arrested in Washington, D.C. in 2018 during an immigration policy demonstration. Police cited her for unlawful assembly and she was released the same day. She has also been detained or arrested at later labor related protests. Dispositions have included citations and fines.

Alyssa Milano

She was arrested in 2018 at a demonstration related to a judicial confirmation proceeding. Police cited her for unlawful demonstration in a restricted area. In 2021 she was arrested at a voting rights rally near the White House and released after processing. Outcomes in these cases involved citations and fines rather than jail time.

Piper Perabo

She was arrested in 2018 inside the U.S. Senate office building during protests over a judicial nomination. She was charged with disorderly conduct in a restricted area. The case was resolved with a fine and standard court fees. She complied with the disposition and the matter concluded.

Nina Dobrev

She was arrested in 2009 in Georgia for disorderly conduct after a roadside photo shoot caused a distraction to drivers. Police reported traffic safety concerns that led to the citations. She accepted a plea that required fines and community service. After completion the case was closed.

Amber Heard

In 2015 she was charged in Australia after bringing two dogs into the country without proper biosecurity declarations. Prosecutors dropped the most serious counts after she admitted to a paperwork offense. She received a good behavior bond and a fine with no conviction recorded. The incident prompted a public apology video released with her then husband.

Amy Schumer

In 2018 she was arrested at a demonstration in Washington, D.C. related to a judicial confirmation protest. Police cited her for crowding or obstructing in a restricted area. She was processed and released the same day. The case concluded with a standard citation disposition.

Emily Ratajkowski

She was detained and cited alongside other protesters during the same 2018 demonstrations in Washington, D.C. Authorities documented an unlawful demonstration violation. She was briefly held and then released after processing. The outcome involved a citation rather than criminal prosecution.

Busy Philipps

In 2022 she was arrested near the Supreme Court during an abortion rights rally. Police charged her with crowding or obstructing in a restricted area. She received a citation and was released shortly afterward. The matter ended with standard protest related penalties and no jail time.

Rose McGowan

In 2017 authorities in Virginia charged her after a small quantity of cocaine was found on a personal item at an airport. She ultimately entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor drug count. The court imposed a fine and probationary conditions. Felony charges were dismissed as part of the resolution.

Lori Petty

She was arrested in 2009 in Los Angeles on suspicion of DUI after a traffic collision. She later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count. The sentence included probation, community service, and an alcohol education program. No further custody time was required beyond the initial arrest processing.

Dana Plato

In 1991 she was arrested in Oklahoma for robbing a video store with an air pistol. She received a suspended sentence conditioned on treatment and probation. In 1992 she was arrested again for forging a prescription and served brief jail time followed by rehab. The courts closed her cases after supervision and program completion.

Fan Bingbing

In 2018 Chinese tax authorities found she underreported income using concealed contracts. She was ordered to pay back taxes, fines, and penalties totaling hundreds of millions of yuan. She issued a public apology and complied with the payment orders. Criminal prosecution was avoided due to full repayment under national regulations.

Rhea Chakraborty

She was arrested in 2020 by India’s narcotics agency in a case involving procurement of small quantities of marijuana. After several weeks in custody she was granted bail. The investigation continued with court supervised conditions. She has appeared for questioning as required while the case proceeds.

Brigitte Nielsen

She was arrested in 2007 in Los Angeles for DUI after being stopped by police. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor alcohol offense. The court ordered probation, fines, and an alcohol education program. She complied with court directives to close the case.

Allison Mack

In 2018 federal prosecutors charged her with racketeering offenses connected to activities within an organization known for coercive practices. She pleaded guilty in 2019 to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy. The court imposed a prison term, supervised release, and a fine. Victim restitution and cooperation were addressed during sentencing.

Paz de la Huerta

She was arrested in 2011 in New York after an altercation at a nightclub. Prosecutors charged her with assault and harassment. She later pleaded guilty to a noncriminal harassment offense. Sentencing included community service and alcohol related counseling.

Q’orianka Kilcher

She was arrested in 2011 outside the White House during a protest concerning indigenous rights and energy policy. Police cited her for disorderly conduct and she was released after processing. In 2022 she was charged in Los Angeles with workers’ compensation fraud tied to alleged injury claims. Prosecutors later dismissed those fraud charges and the case was closed.

Ragini Dwivedi

In 2020 she was arrested in Bengaluru during a film industry drug investigation. Authorities alleged consumption and procurement linked to private events. She spent weeks in custody before receiving bail from the high court. Proceedings have continued through scheduled hearings and filings.

Share which cases surprised you most and tell us what details you think are often missed in coverage in the comments.