Award-Winning Actress and Husband Pulled Over, Arrested on DUI Charges and Disorderly Conduct
Reese Witherspoon and her husband, Creative Artists agent James Toth, were arrested early Friday morning, April 19th, in Atlanta on DUI charges.
According to the police report, the couple was pulled over when a state trooper saw Toth weaving over a double line. The officer reported that Toth smelled strongly of alcohol, his eyelids were droopy, and his eyes were blood shot. Toth told the officer that he had only had one drink, which Witherspoon commented was at a restaurant 2 hours before the stop, but when the officer administered the Breathalyzer, Toth’s blood alcohol level registered at .139. Like South Carolina, the legal BAC in Georgia is .08.
As the officer spoke with Toth, however, Witherspoon reportedly got out of the car. She was told to get back in the car, and obeyed, but then got out of the car a second time. The trooper warned her that if she got out of the car again, she would be arrested. Reportedly, Witherspoon became irate and got out of the car a third time, demanding of the officers “Do you know my name?” and “You’re about to find out who I am … You’re going to be on national news,” as well as insisting that she was “a US citizen” and that she could “stand on American ground.”
Toth was arrested for DUI and Witherspoon was arrested for disorderly conduct. The couple was released at 3:30 AM on Friday.
Witherspoon and her husband were in Atlanta as Witherspoon shot the indie drama The Good Lie, in which she plays an American woman assigned to help young Sudanese refugees.
Witherspoon Reportedly “Deeply Embarrassed” by Her Behavior During DUI Stop
The actress released a statement over the weekend in regards to the DUI stop. TMZ reports:
“Out of respect for the ongoing legal situation, I cannot comment on everything that is being reported right now. But I do want to say I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that was no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. The words I used that night definitely do not reflect who I am. I have nothing but respect for the police and I am very sorry for my behavior.”
Witherspoon’s and Toth’s court appearances have been pushed back to May 22 and 23, respectively.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with DUI Charges
The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand that being arrested for DUI can be scary, and the law can seem complex and insurmountable. Do not let charges or a conviction prevent you from seeking job or educational opportunities. You still have rights, even if you face a court date. The Strom Law Firm can help with DUI charges in South Carolina, Georgia and New York state. We offer free, confidential consultations, so the facts of your case can be discussed with impunity. Do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.
