Hilton Charged With DUI

Charges stem from the star's Sept. 8 arrest in Hollywood.

By Andrew Blankstein
Times Staff Writer

12:40 PM PDT, September 26, 2006

Socialite heiress Paris Hilton was charged today with two counts of misdemeanor drunk driving in connection with her arrest this month in Hollywood.

Los Angeles police arrested Hilton Sept. 8 after officers noticed her Mercedes moving erratically near the intersection of Selma and Wilcox avenues.

Police said that Hilton failed a field sobriety test and that her blood-alcohol level was measured at California's legal limit of 0.08%.

The heiress, who said she had had one margarita and had not eaten all day because she had been filming a music video, is due in court Thursday for arraignment.

If she pleads no contest, she faces a maximum penalty for a first-time offense of a $1,000 fine and six months in Los Angeles County jail. Most likely, she would be subject to a fine, probation and have to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.