Young Actresses who Have Been Behind Bars

Living in the spotlight can bring a lot of pressure and sometimes that leads to legal trouble for stars who started their careers early. Many fans are surprised to learn that some of their favorite performers have spent time in a jail cell for various reasons ranging from activism to personal mistakes. While we often see them on the red carpet or on our screens it is important to remember that they face the same legal consequences as everyone else. This list looks at some well known actresses who found themselves behind bars at some point during their careers.

Shailene Woodley

Known for her lead role in ‘Divergent’ and her work in ‘Big Little Lies’ this actress is also a dedicated environmental activist. She was arrested while peacefully protesting against a pipeline project in North Dakota along with many other people. The entire event was captured on a live stream which allowed her fans to see the moment she was taken away by the police. She spent several hours in a local jail before she was able to post bail and continue her advocacy work.

Naya Rivera

She became a star on the hit series ‘Glee’ and was highly regarded for her singing and acting talents throughout her career. The actress was arrested following a domestic dispute and was taken to a local station to be processed by the police. She spent a brief period in custody before her bail was posted and she was allowed to leave the facility. While the charges were later dismissed the incident was widely reported in the media during that time.

Debby Ryan

This star gained fame through her work on ‘Jessie’ and ‘Insatiable’ but faced a difficult legal situation a few years ago. She was taken into custody following a driving incident that involved an accident and a failed sobriety test. The actress later expressed her deep regret for the mistake and completed the requirements of her probation to move forward. She has since focused on her career and maintaining a positive path in the industry.

Emma Roberts

As the star of ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Scream Queens’ she has a very successful career in both television and film. She was arrested after an incident in a hotel room involving a physical altercation with her partner at the time. The police were called to the scene and she was taken into custody for domestic violence before being released shortly after. The charges were eventually dropped and the couple stayed together for several years following the event.

Jaime Pressly

She won an Emmy for her hilarious role in ‘My Name Is Earl’ and has appeared in many other popular comedies over the years. The actress was arrested for driving under the influence after being pulled over by traffic officers in California. She had to spend time in a holding cell and later dealt with the legal fallout of her actions in court. Since that time she has stayed away from similar legal issues and continued to work steadily in the entertainment world.

Michelle Rodriguez

She is well known for her tough roles in ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and ‘Lost’ where she often plays very strong characters. The actress faced real life legal issues that led to her spending time in a county jail for several days. These problems were mostly related to driving under the influence and failing to follow the rules of her community service. She has since moved past these incidents and continues to be a staple in high action movie franchises.

Paz de la Huerta

She is best known for her role in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and has built a reputation for her intense acting style in independent films. The actress was arrested and charged with assault following a physical confrontation with another woman at a social event. She had to deal with the legal system and spent time being processed by law after the incident was reported. This was one of several legal hurdles she faced during the height of her television career.

Rose McGowan

This actress is famous for her role in ‘Charmed’ and for being a prominent voice in major social movements in Hollywood. She turned herself into the police after a warrant was issued for her arrest regarding a drug possession charge. The situation stemmed from items left behind on a flight and she spent a short time in custody during the booking process. She eventually reached a plea deal and has since focused her energy on writing and activism.

Taryn Manning

Fans recognize her immediately from her long running role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ where she played a character who was often in trouble. In real life she has faced her own share of legal battles including arrests for assault and stalking allegations. She has spent time in custody on more than one occasion as these legal situations played out in the courts. Despite these personal challenges she has remained active in the industry and continues to take on new projects.

Mischa Barton

She became a global sensation thanks to the teen drama ‘The O.C.’ which made her one of the most famous faces of the early years of the decade. The actress was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of illegal substances during a night out. She spent time in a jail cell and was later sentenced to probation and a treatment program as part of her legal requirements. She has often spoken about the pressures of fame that contributed to that difficult period in her life.

Paris Hilton

She is known for her work in ‘The Simple Life’ and movies such as ‘House of Wax’ which made her a major pop culture icon. The star was arrested for driving while intoxicated and later spent several days in a jail facility for violating her probation. The media coverage of her time behind bars was intense and she was photographed extensively during her release from the facility. Since that experience she has transformed her public image and focused heavily on her business empire and advocacy work.

Winona Ryder

While she is a legendary actress with roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Stranger Things’ she was involved in a very famous legal case years ago. She was arrested for shoplifting at a high end department store in Beverly Hills which became a massive news story at the time. The actress was found guilty and spent time performing community service as well as paying significant fines for her actions. She took a break from the spotlight after the trial but eventually made a very successful comeback to acting.

Amanda Bynes

She was a beloved child star with her own show called ‘The Amanda Show’ and lead roles in hits like ‘She’s the Man’ before her personal struggles began. The actress faced several arrests for driving under the influence and various other incidents related to her mental health and substance use. She spent time in psychiatric holds as well as jail during the height of her public difficulties. Her story has been one of resilience as she has worked to regain control of her life and stay out of the legal system.

Allison Mack

She was well known for playing a kind character in the superhero series ‘Smallville’ for many years before a shocking scandal came to light. The actress was arrested for her involvement in a high level cult where she was accused of serious crimes involving the manipulation of women. She was sentenced to spend several years in a federal prison and has been serving her time away from the public eye. This case remains one of the most high profile and disturbing legal situations involving a television star.

Lindsay Lohan

Perhaps the most famous example of a child star facing legal trouble is the actress known for ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘Mean Girls’ in her youth. She was arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and for several probation violations that resulted in many trips to jail. She spent various amounts of time behind bars over several years as judges grew frustrated with her inability to follow court orders. After many years of personal struggles she has recently returned to acting and has found a much more stable life.

Please tell us which of these celebrity legal stories surprised you the most by leaving a comment below.