Hollywood Actresses Who Faced Domestic Violence Charges

Hollywood history is often marked by legal controversies that reach far beyond the silver screen and into the personal lives of famous figures. Many public figures have faced legal scrutiny following domestic disputes that resulted in police intervention and formal charges. These cases frequently involve high profile investigations and significant media coverage that impact professional reputations. The following list examines various Hollywood actresses and media personalities who have encountered legal challenges related to domestic violence or battery charges throughout their careers.

Emma Roberts

In July 2013 police responded to a reported dispute between Emma Roberts and her then boyfriend Evan Peters in a hotel room in Montreal. Officers observed that Peters had a bloody nose and a bite mark which led to the immediate arrest of the ‘American Horror Story’ actress. Roberts was released several hours later after Peters declined to press charges against her. The couple released a joint statement calling the event an unfortunate misunderstanding and continued their relationship for several years afterward. This incident remains one of the most publicized legal moments in the career of the ‘Scream Queens’ star.

Naya Rivera

The late Naya Rivera was arrested in November 2017 following a domestic dispute with her husband Ryan Dorsey in Kanawha County West Virginia. Dorsey provided law enforcement with a video that allegedly showed the ‘Glee’ actress striking him in the head and bottom lip. Rivera was charged with domestic battery and appeared before a magistrate before being released on a one thousand dollar bond. The charges were later dismissed at the request of Dorsey who informed the prosecution that he no longer wished to pursue the case. Rivera continued her work in the industry appearing in projects like ‘Step Up High Water’ before her passing in 2020.

Stacey Dash

Stacey Dash was taken into custody in September 2019 following a domestic dispute at her home in Pasco County Florida. The ‘Clueless’ actress allegedly pushed and slapped her husband during a verbal argument that escalated into a physical confrontation. Body camera footage from the responding officers captured the arrest of Dash who was charged with domestic battery. The actress eventually had the charges dropped and her husband indicated a desire to move past the legal ordeal. Dash has since remained active in the public eye through various political and media appearances.

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear faced multiple legal issues in 2018 including an arrest for domestic violence and battery against a police officer. Authorities were called to her residence in Thousand Oaks California after a report of a domestic disturbance involving her boyfriend. During the encounter the ‘Melrose Place’ star allegedly became combative and struck three deputies which resulted in felony charges. Locklear eventually pleaded no contest to the charges and was ordered to complete a treatment program as part of her sentencing. Her legal struggles were widely documented by entertainment news outlets during her recovery process.

Tawny Kitaen

Tawny Kitaen was arrested in 2002 after an incident involving her then husband professional baseball player Chuck Finley. The ‘Bachelor Party’ actress was charged with domestic violence after Finley alleged that she kicked him repeatedly with high heeled shoes while they were in a car. Following the arrest Finley filed for divorce and the couple eventually reached a settlement regarding the legal matters. Kitaen agreed to enter a counseling program as part of a plea deal to resolve the criminal charges. The actress passed away in 2021 after a long career in film and television.

Amber Heard

Long before her highly publicized legal battles with Johnny Depp Amber Heard was arrested for domestic violence in 2009. The incident occurred at Seattle Tacoma International Airport where she allegedly grabbed and struck her then girlfriend Tasya van Ree. Port of Seattle Police Department officers witnessed the confrontation and took the ‘Aquaman’ actress into custody. The prosecutor declined to file charges at the time citing that both women lived in California and the jurisdiction was complex. Van Ree later released a statement saying the incident was misinterpreted and over sensitized by the police.

Lisa Robin Kelly

Lisa Robin Kelly faced several legal challenges during her life including a domestic violence arrest in August 2010. The ‘That 70s Show’ actress was charged with corporal injury upon a spouse following a report from her home in North Carolina. She was later arrested again in 2012 on similar charges involving a different domestic dispute in Los Angeles. These legal issues frequently disrupted her acting career and led to her departure from mainstream television projects. Kelly tragically passed away in 2013 while seeking treatment at a recovery facility.

Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra and her husband at the time Dennis Rodman were both arrested in November 1999 following a physical altercation. Police were called to a hotel in Miami Beach where they discovered evidence of a struggle between the ‘Baywatch’ actress and the professional athlete. Both individuals were charged with battery and were ordered by a judge to stay away from each other. The charges were ultimately dropped after both parties agreed to seek counseling and reconcile their differences. This event occurred just months after the couple had eloped in Las Vegas.

Hope Solo

Professional soccer player and media personality Hope Solo was arrested in June 2014 following an incident at her home in Washington. She was charged with two counts of domestic violence assault involving her sister and her nephew. Solo claimed that she was acting in self defense during a family disagreement that turned physical. The legal proceedings lasted several years with the charges being dismissed and then reinstated on appeal. Ultimately the charges against the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestant were dismissed for good in 2018.

Courtney Love

Courtney Love has encountered numerous legal issues throughout her career including an arrest for assault in 2004. The ‘The People vs Larry Flynt’ actress was charged after allegedly throwing a liquor bottle and a metal flashlight at a woman in a friend’s home. Love pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of assault and was ordered to undergo drug treatment and anger management. This incident was one of several high profile court appearances for the musician and actress during the early two thousands. Her legal history has been extensively documented alongside her influential work in the grunge music scene.

Porsha Williams

Porsha Williams was arrested in 2014 following a physical altercation during the filming of a reunion special. The ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star was charged with misdemeanor battery after she allegedly pulled the hair of her castmate Kenya Moore. Williams surrendered to authorities and was released on bond shortly after the booking process was complete. The legal matter was resolved without a lengthy trial though it led to significant changes in the production of the show. Since the incident Williams has focused on her career as a television host and entrepreneur.

Foxy Brown

Rapper and actress Foxy Brown has faced multiple battery charges throughout her career including a significant incident in 2004. She was arrested after an altercation with two nail technicians in a Chelsea salon over a payment dispute. Brown was later charged with assault and served time in jail after violating her probation terms from a previous case. Her legal struggles frequently overshadowed her musical success during the mid two thousands. She remains a prominent figure in the history of hip hop culture despite her past courtroom appearances.

Cardi B

Cardi B was indicted on felony charges in 2019 following an incident at a strip club in Queens New York. The ‘Hustlers’ actress was accused of orchestrating an assault on two bartenders during a dispute involving her husband. She eventually pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of assault and reckless endangerment to resolve the case. As part of her plea deal she was sentenced to fifteen days of community service and ordered to stay away from the victims. The artist spoke about the importance of accountability after the legal proceedings were finalized.

Remy Ma

Remy Ma faced serious legal consequences following a shooting incident in 2007 involving a former friend. The rapper and actress was convicted of assault and weapon possession after a dispute over a missing sum of money. She served several years in prison before being released and successfully resuming her entertainment career on ‘Love and Hip Hop New York’. In 2019 she faced another assault charge involving a castmate though she maintained her innocence throughout the process. Her journey through the legal system has been a central theme in her public narrative and music.

Danniella Westbrook

Danniella Westbrook was arrested in April 2018 in Spain on suspicion of fraud and domestic related offenses. The ‘EastEnders’ actress was taken into custody after a reported incident involving a dispute over a hotel bill and a disagreement with an associate. Westbrook has been open about her struggles with substance abuse and the legal issues that have arisen as a result. Her career in British television has been marked by several periods of hiatus due to her personal health and legal challenges. She continues to work toward stability and has appeared in various reality television projects recently.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell has a well documented history of legal issues involving physical altercations with her employees and associates. In 2000 the actress and supermodel pleaded guilty to assaulting an assistant with a mobile phone during a film shoot in Canada. She faced similar charges in 2007 after hitting a housekeeper with a jewel encrusted telephone in New York. Campbell was ordered to attend anger management classes and perform community service as a result of these incidents. Her career has continued to thrive despite these high profile legal encounters in the early two thousands.

Blac Chyna

Blac Chyna was arrested in 2016 at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport for public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance. While these were the primary charges she has also faced numerous legal claims regarding domestic altercations with her former partners. In 2017 she was granted a restraining order against Rob Kardashian following a series of physical and digital disputes. Chyna has appeared in various reality shows like ‘The Real Blac Chyna’ where she often discusses her legal and personal battles. She continues to manage her business ventures while navigating the complexities of her public life.

Joseline Hernandez

Joseline Hernandez was arrested in June 2023 following a massive physical altercation backstage at a boxing match. The ‘Joseline’s Cabaret’ star faced multiple charges including battery and trespassing after clashing with security and other attendees. Footage of the incident went viral on social media showing the actress becoming combative during the event. Hernandez has a history of physical confrontations on reality television which has led to several legal inquiries over the years. She remains a controversial figure in the world of urban media and reality programming.

Danielle Staub

Danielle Staub has a legal history that dates back several decades including an arrest in the late nineteen eighties. The ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ star was charged with extortion and possession of a controlled substance during a domestic dispute. Her past was a major plot point during the early seasons of the reality show where her castmates confronted her about her criminal record. Staub has faced various other legal claims involving domestic disagreements and restraining orders in the years since her television debut. She has authored a book detailing her life experiences and the challenges she faced in the legal system.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty was arrested in 1997 after an incident where she allegedly smashed a bottle on a man’s car window during an argument. The ‘Charmed’ actress was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and spent several hours in custody before being released. She eventually pleaded no contest to a lesser charge and was ordered to undergo counseling as part of her probation. Doherty had previously faced other legal warnings regarding her conduct on film sets and in public spaces. Despite these early challenges she established herself as a legendary figure in television history.

Whitney Houston

The legendary Whitney Houston and her husband Bobby Brown were involved in a well publicized domestic incident in December 2003. Police were called to their home in Georgia after Houston reported that Brown had struck her during a heated argument. While Brown was the one primarily charged in that specific instance both stars faced intense legal and media scrutiny regarding their volatile relationship. The ‘The Bodyguard’ actress was often seen as a victim in the legal proceedings but the couple’s domestic issues were frequently mutual and documented by authorities. Houston’s legacy remains centered on her extraordinary musical talent despite the personal turmoil of her later years.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was arrested in April 2008 on charges of common assault after she allegedly slapped a man during a night out in London. The ‘Amy’ subject and Grammy winner was given a formal warning by police after she admitted to the incident during questioning. This was one of several legal encounters for the singer whose personal life was often the subject of intense tabloid coverage. Winehouse struggled with the pressures of fame and the legal consequences of her erratic behavior until her untimely death in 2011. Her influence on modern soul and jazz music continues to be celebrated by fans and fellow artists worldwide.

Erika Eleniak

Erika Eleniak was arrested in 1999 following a domestic dispute with her boyfriend at their home in California. The ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Under Siege’ actress was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery after a report was filed with the local sheriff’s department. Details of the incident were kept relatively private compared to other celebrity cases but the arrest was confirmed by law enforcement records. Eleniak eventually resolved the legal matter and continued to work in independent films and television guest spots. She has remained largely out of the spotlight in recent years focusing on her private life.

Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips was arrested in 1995 for domestic battery following a physical confrontation with her then husband. The ‘One Day at a Time’ actress has been very open about her long history of substance abuse and how it contributed to her legal troubles. This arrest was a turning point for the actress who eventually sought long term treatment and became an advocate for recovery. Phillips later wrote a candid memoir detailing the complex and often painful details of her family life and career. She has since appeared in several television series including a guest role on the reboot of her original show.

Sean Young

Sean Young was arrested in 2012 following an incident at the Academy Awards after party hosted by the Governors Ball. The ‘Blade Runner’ actress was charged with misdemeanor battery after she allegedly slapped a security guard who asked to see her credentials. Young claimed the incident was a misunderstanding and expressed her frustration with the way she was treated by event staff. The charges were later dropped and the actress continued to pursue work in the film industry. She has remained a vocal figure regarding the treatment of veteran actors in Hollywood.

Maia Campbell

Maia Campbell was arrested in 2010 on charges of disorderly conduct and battery following an incident at a restaurant in California. The ‘In the House’ actress was taken into custody after a reported physical altercation with another patron. Campbell has struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse throughout her adult life which has led to several interactions with law enforcement. Her fans have frequently expressed concern for her well being as she navigates the challenges of her recovery journey. She is fondly remembered for her roles in popular television shows and films during the nineteen nineties.

Jennifer Capriati

Jennifer Capriati was charged with stalking and battery in March 2013 following an incident with an ex boyfriend at a gym in Florida. The former tennis star and media personality allegedly followed and struck the man during a confrontation on Valentine’s Day. Prosecutors eventually dropped the charges after Capriati completed community service and anger management counseling. She has largely remained private about her personal life following the resolution of the case. Her career was marked by significant athletic achievements and frequent media coverage of her comeback stories.

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