40+ Celebrities Who Disobeyed The Law And Ended Up In Jail
Stars can sometimes appear to be above the law when they’re involved in scandals. As a result of a series of unfortunate events, a number of celebrities have found themselves behind bars. Here is a fascinating list of famous celebs, some of whom have served time in prison for breaking the law.
Paris Hilton
It’s no secret that Paris Hilton has been involved in a number of high-profile controversies. This even led to a brief arrest for Hilton’s boyfriend when he was pulled over. Even when she wasn’t driving, Hilton was still in the car. When the cops smelled something fishy in the car, they searched it and discovered illegal drugs in Hilton’s possession. Her purse contained a felony amount. She was arrested and released less than two hours later, without having to pay bail.
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is a well-known actor who has played a number of memorable roles. Despite this, he was arrested in front of his own house in 2011. A passerby noticed the actor was clearly inebriated and behaving aggressively towards his wife while visiting his New Orleans rental home and called for help.
Nicolas Cage
He was accused of disturbing the peace, intoxication, and domestic violence against his wife. Shortly after his arrest, the actor had a second intoxicated breakdown in the fall of 2021.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino
Mike Sorrentino, better known as “The Situation” on the hit MTV reality show Jersey Shore, was sentenced to eight months in prison in 2018 for tax evasion and other tax offenses.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino
Sorrentino was also given a two-year supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service as part of his sentence. Sorrentino’s arrest for tax evasion was not his first time in jail. He was arrested in New Jersey in 2014 for assaulting a customer at his tanning salon.
Khloé Kardashian
The Kardashians have been in the public eye for the majority of their lives. Their popular reality show gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at their lives, including less glamorous moments like Khloé’s brief stint in jail in 2008.
Khloé Kardashian
Khloé was arrested in 2007 for driving while intoxicated, but she was quickly released and placed on probation. In 2008, the reality star was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating her probation. Due to overcrowding in the jail where she was booked, the actress only spent three hours in jail rather than the original 30 days.
Jane Fonda
The fact that not every celebrity arrest results in a criminal record should not be underestimated. In the case of Jane Fonda, there’s no better celebrity example than her own arrest.
Jane Fonda
The actress was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War and environmental issues during the 1970s. She was arrested for allegedly transporting illegal substances in Cleveland, Ohio in 1970. Fonda’s mugshot has become iconic, despite the fact that the charges were later dropped when the illegal substances were discovered to be vitamins.
Tim Allen
Tim Allen is probably best known for his role as a dad in a 1990s sitcom or in one of our favorite holiday films. Allen was arrested in a Michigan airport in 1978 for possession of an illegal substance, which most fans would not expect.
Tim Allen
Allen was sentenced to a federal prison, where he remained for two years and four months. Allen believes that his arrest and time in jail helped him focus on his goals and become the person he is today after decades of sobriety.
Oscar Pistorius
This is a very ominous arrest indeed. Double amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius competed in the Paralympic and Olympic Games as a double amputee for a while before his death. When Pistorius appeared on television again, it wasn’t nearly as inspiring.
Oscar Pistorius
This time, Pistorius was arrested in connection with the shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp, his girlfriend at the time. This began with him receiving a 5-year sentence, but it was later increased to 13 years and five months.
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most infamous figures over the years. He was also arrested several times. In December 2009, he was arrested for one of his more high-profile crimes.
Charlie Sheen
After an argument with his then-wife, Brooke Mueller, the actor was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Several of Sheen’s previous partners had accused him of domestic violence, leading to restraining orders and lawsuits.
Felicity Huffman
Felicity Huffman, who rose to fame as a Desperate Housewife, received unwanted media attention after it was revealed that she and other celebrities had bribed their children’s way into college.
Felicity Huffman
In an interview, Huffman admitted that she paid a proctor administering the SAT exam to correct any of her daughter’s incorrect answers on the exam. Huffman was sentenced to two weeks in jail and 250 hours of community service as a result of the incident.
Nicole Richie
As a reality star, Nicole Richie has also had her share of legal issues. It was a truly terrifying situation, however, that led to her arrest in 2006. After Richie was spotted driving the wrong way down a busy Los Angeles road, she was arrested.
Nicole Richie
Due to overcrowding, she only served 82 minutes of the four days she was sentenced to. Richie was convicted for the second time of driving under the influence, the first time being in 2003.
T.I.
T.I. has never shied away from his troubled past or run-ins with the law. In 2010, the rapper was arrested on drug charges, and he was sentenced to 11 months in prison for violating his probation.
T.I.
It all started when T.I. was pulled over for a traffic violation, which led to the discovery of illegal drugs in his vehicle. Years later, the rapper was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. T.I. has recently been accused of inappropriate behavior by over 30 people.
Lil Wayne
In his book Gone Til November: A Journal of Rikers Island, Lil Wayne wrote about his arrest. The musician spent the majority of his sentence at New York’s Rikers Island correctional facility, as the title suggests.
Lil Wayne
The rapper’s legal troubles began when he was arrested in 2007 on weapons and illegal substance charges. Following this arrest, a pattern of multiple arrests and felonies developed. Despite being a convicted felon, he was charged in 2020 with illegally possessing a weapon.
Martha Stewart
Investing is one of Martha Stewart’s many skills and expertise. But unfortunately, it was her investment decisions that landed her behind bars. A close friend of Stewart’s owned the biopharmaceutical company ImClone Systems, which Stewart had invested in.
Martha Stewart
The company’s latest product had been rejected by the FDA, causing stock prices to plummet, according to the friend. She sold her shares just before it went bankrupt. She was sentenced to five months in federal prison, five months of house arrest, and two years of probation for insider trading as a result of her actions.
Matthew McConaughey
It seems strange for someone to play the bongos without wearing any clothes. Matthew McConaughey was arrested in 1999 as a result of exactly this situation. He was charged with illegal substance possession and disturbing the peace, among other things.
Matthew McConaughey
Nine hours later, the actor was released on $1,000 bail and the charges against him were dropped. He’s said, “What’s wrong with beating on your drums in your birthday suit? I have no regrets about the way I got there.”
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is arguably one of the most well-known golfers in history. He was arrested for reckless driving in 2017 despite his efforts, but that didn’t stop him from being arrested.
Tiger Woods
Golfer Tiger Woods was found to have traces of five different substances in his body after a blood test, which he claimed he used to treat insomnia and back pain. Despite being held for three hours, he was eventually released and sentenced to a year of probation.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach in 2014, in a story that quickly went viral. Driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and driving with an expired license were the charges. After posting bond, the pop star was quickly released.
Justin Bieber
Later, he posted a photo of his mugshot to Instagram with the hashtags “#neveragain” and “#jailisnotacoolplacetobe.” This night in jail didn’t appear to be in the singer’s plans, and he made it clear to his fans that this wasn’t cool at all.
O.J. Simpson
Before he was at the center of one of the most high-profile criminal trials in recent history, O.J. Simpson was a well-known professional football player. However, it was a kidnapping and robbery charge in Las Vegas in 2007 that landed him in prison, not the murder trial.
O.J. Simpson
By 2008, he had been convicted of a crime that carried a maximum sentence of 33 years, but he only served the minimum of nine years. In the beginning of October 2017, he was finally released.
Christian Slater
Christian Slater was arrested in 1989, the same year that his film Heathers was released. This arrest stemmed from a charge of driving while intoxicated. However, the actor was only detained for 10 days before being released.
Christian Slater
On the other hand, in 1994, he was arrested for weapons possession, and in 1997, he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend and a responding police officer. In 2005, Slater was arrested for indecently touching a woman, which continued his pattern of lawlessness.
Steve-O
Celebrities have been known to run afoul of the law while participating in protests for causes in which they strongly believe. Steve-O is a part of this as well. In 2015, Steve-O demonstrated against SeaWorld in a way that was completely in keeping with his personality.
Steve-O
A critical message was printed on an orca-themed balloon that the star climbed a crane to display. He also lit off fireworks from where he was standing. His arrest for trespassing was the result of him climbing a crane at a nearby construction site.
Tommy Lee
It’s no secret that Mötley Crüe fans love Tommy Lee’s mobile drumming skills and high-energy performances. However, he has had a number of run-ins with the law in the past, most recently for a violent outburst. Lee had been sentenced to multiple terms of probation prior to his arrest.
Tommy Lee
For inciting a riot in 1997, Lee and Nikki Sixx were arrested. A highly publicized altercation between the drummer and his then-wife Pamela Anderson led to his criminal conviction in 1998 for domestic violence.
Phil Spector
Phil Spector is one of the most well-known producers in music history. Because as a music producer, he’s worked with a wide range of notable artists and introduced a number of groundbreaking ideas.
Phil Spector
Unfortunately, the producer was also found guilty of the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Spector maintained his innocence during his 2009 trial, but was found guilty and sentenced to 19 years to life in prison. He died in the year 2021.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan became quite a controversial figure in Hollywood during the early 2000s after a successful early career. She was arrested several times during this time. The majority of the charges are related to driving while intoxicated.
Lindsay Lohan
The actress was arrested for the first time in 2007, and she pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence. Over the next few years, Lohan would have a number of run-ins with the law, most of which involved illegal substances and parole violations.
Nick Carter
One of the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter, rose to fame. He’s been in trouble with the law in recent years, resulting in multiple arrests and legal issues. Carter has been arrested on multiple occasions for illegal drugs, violence, and public intoxication.
Nick Carter
Carter was arrested three times: in 2002, 2005, and January 2016, when he got into a fight in a Key West bar. Carter was also accused of inappropriate behavior in 2018 in relation to an incident that occurred in 2002.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. had a much less kid-friendly image before donning the Iron Man costume in the MCU. It all started when he was pulled over for exceeding the speed limit in 1997.
Robert Downey Jr.
When a weapon and illegal substances were discovered in Downey Jr.’s car, the traffic stop quickly turned into an arrest. Due to the illicit substance charges, he spent the next year in a California state prison and time in a treatment facility.
Dustin Diamond
On the hit television show Saved by the Bell, Dustin Diamond played the character Screech. When fans found out he’d been arrested, they were understandably shocked. The charge stemmed from a Wisconsin bar conviction for weapon possession and disorderly conduct.
Dustin Diamond
Diamond was cleared of a felony charge of recklessly endangering public safety, but the two misdemeanor charges remained. The actor was arrested again in 2016 after violating his parole. Sadly, the actor passed away in 2021.
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill rose to prominence as a member of the Fugees, a well-known hip hop group. Hill was arrested in 2013 on $1.8 million in earnings for not paying taxes and tax fraud. Hill received a three-month prison sentence and a three-month house arrest sentence.
Lauryn Hill
“I needed to be able to earn so I could pay my taxes, without compromising the health and welfare of my children, and I was being denied that,” Hill said when given the opportunity to speak after her sentencing.
Shelley Malil
Shelley Malil is a name that will be familiar to anyone who has seen the film The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Even so, you might be surprised to know of his arrest.
Shelley Malil
Originally, the actor was sentenced to life in prison for the attempted premeditated murder of his girlfriend, Kendra Beebe, who was severely injured in the attack. He eventually served eight years of a life sentence that was supposed to last at least 12 years before he was eligible for parole.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z is a talented musician. He’s best known these days for being in one of the most famous celebrity relationships, with none other than Beyoncé. However, the musician was arrested in 1999 for stabbing a record producer, Lance Rivera.
Jay-Z
By pleading guilty, the musician avoided a sentence of 15 years in prison. He was instead sentenced to three years of probation and the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor as a result of his guilty plea.
Michelle Rodriguez
After a particularly violent fight with a roommate, Michelle Rodriguez was arrested for the first time in November 2002. She was charged with a total of eight misdemeanors the following year. These charges stem from two separate traffic violations.
Michelle Rodriguez
She was sentenced to 48 hours in jail and three years probation when the case went to trial in June 2004. She spent 18 days in jail less than a year later for failing to comply with her probation terms.
Chris Brown
Another high-profile arrest is that of Chris Brown. After a violent outburst directed at then-girlfriend Rihanna, the musician faced severe backlash and legal consequences. Brown was eventually released on probation after that incident.
Chris Brown
When he got into another fight, this time with a young man, he broke his probation. He had to serve 131 days of a year-long sentence in 2014 after the judge gave him credit for the 234 days he’d already served in prison.
Lil’ Kim
After a violent outburst in which one man was injured with a weapon, Lil’ Kim was called to the stand to testify. However, the rapper was not arrested on that charge. She claimed that she hadn’t seen her friend involved in the shooting that day while on the stand.
Lil’ Kim
Unfortunately for her, security footage was available to show that she wasn’t telling the truth. As a result, she was sentenced to a year in prison for perjury, but she only served eight months of her sentence.
Kiefer Sutherland
Another celebrity who got himself into trouble was Kiefer Sutherland, who was caught driving under the influence. Sutherland was arrested in 2007 as a result of this charge. The actor pleaded no contest to charges of driving under the influence and probation violations.
Kiefer Sutherland
He was imprisoned for a total of 48 days. There were still conditions to follow after his release. This included 18 months of substance abuse education and weekly therapy sessions mandated by the court.
Charles S. Dutton
Before becoming famous, actor and director Charles S. Dutton served time in prison. Surprisingly, he only attended Yale School of Drama after his arrest. Dutton’s legal troubles began in 1967, when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Charles S. Dutton
He was arrested again while on parole for charges of weapon possession and robbery. When he got into a fight with a guard, his sentence was increased. He had a master’s degree from Yale School of Drama by 1983 and was beginning to make a name for himself as an actor.
Edward Furlong
One of the strangest celebrity arrests on this list might be Edward Furlong’s. Despite employee protests, Furlong and his friend began releasing the lobsters from the tank while in a Kentucky grocery store.
Edward Furlong
He was only in jail for three hours and was charged with public intoxication, a misdemeanor. Finally, it was determined that it was a case of public intoxication. Furlong’s pattern of breaking the law continued with several more arrests stemming from domestic violence allegations.
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne has a history of stirring up controversy. 1982 saw him arrested for desecration of a monument across the street from, and dedicated to, the Alamo, an incident that has since become infamous.
Ozzy Osbourne
After being charged with public intoxication, the ‘Prince of Darkness’ was arrested just two years later. Despite the fact that Beale Street is the city’s main entertainment district, Osbourne’s reckless behavior was apparently too much for the city. Despite the fact that he was only in jail for a few hours, his mugshot has become legendary.
Ja Rule
Since the early 2000s, rapper and actor Ja Rule has been in legal trouble. After police discovered the weapon in the rapper’s car in 2007, he was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon. He was convicted of the charge in 2011 and spent the next two years in prison.
Ja Rule
To make matters worse, his stay was eventually extended due to tax evasion charges, adding an additional 28 months to his sentence. He served part of his sentence in Rikers Island, just like Lil Wayne.
Heather Locklear
With her acting skills, Heather Locklear has become a household name. Her life has unfortunately taken a drastic turn. She was charged with driving while intoxicated in 2008. She was able to avoid prison time for that charge.
Heather Locklear
She was instead given a three-year probationary period, a $700 fine, and a driver safety course. Since then, the actress has been charged with battery on multiple occasions, including a charge of battery against a police officer in 2018.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, is no stranger to legal wrangling. In 1990, he was charged with having illicit substances in his possession and intending to sell them. He was acquitted in 1996 of his role in a murder case that occurred in 1993.
Snoop Dogg
At the John Wayne Airport in 2006, he was arrested for having a collapsible baton in his carry-on bag. He even missed the 2007 MTV Australia Video Music Awards due to a temporary ban imposed by Australia due to his numerous arrests.
Katt Williams
Katt Williams has a long criminal record and has been arrested multiple times. It’s worth noting, however, that his arrest in 2012 was particularly bizarre. When the comedian slapped a Target employee, he was in the store.
Katt Williams
He rode away on a motorized cart after assaulting the employee. Furthermore, the entire incident was captured on camera. Unfortunately, this was just one of many strange situations in which the comedic actor has found himself.
Blac Chyna
Blac Chyna has long attracted paparazzi attention as a model, socialite, and reality star. She also drew the attention of security during a 2016 layover between flights. She attempted to fly from Texas to London but was only able to get as far as Austin-Bergstrom International Airport before being apprehended.
Blac Chyna
This occurred after she became embroiled in a verbal altercation and was accused of acting intoxicated. She was charged with public intoxication and found to be in possession of a controlled substance in the end.
Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf began establishing his celebrity status at a young age. He started out on the Disney Channel before becoming a household name thanks to his role as Bumblebee in Transformers.
Shia LaBeouf
In 2017, the actor was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct with a police officer and a bystander. When he began using particularly vulgar language, the actor was arrested and spent the night in jail before being released after paying a $7,000 bond.
Sean Penn
Sean Penn has received a slew of awards for his work, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing off-screen. He was arrested for assault in 1987 and faced prison time. Penn had a bad temper and assaulted an extra on the set of his film Colors.
Sean Penn
It was made worse by the fact that he punched the extra while on probation for prior assaults. The actor completed just over half of his sentence and agreed to attend anger-management classes.
Michael Jace
Michael Jace was best known for his role in The Shield, a crime drama on FX. In real life, however, Jace was sentenced to life in prison in 2016 for a particularly heinous crime. After admitting to the murder of his wife, April, in a 9-1-1 call, the actor was convicted.
Michael Jace
It was revealed that he eventually murdered his wife because she had requested a divorce. Jace was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison as a result of his actions.
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes is a well-known actor whose iconic roles in films like White Men Can’t Jump and the Blade trilogy have been recognized by nearly everyone. When he was arrested in 2006, he had to deal with a real-life crisis.
Wesley Snipes
This arrest was made on suspicion of tax evasion and even filing false tax refund claims. According to the government, the actor failed to file taxes between 1999 and 2004. He was sentenced to three years in prison as a result, and he was released in 2013.
Stephen Baldwin
In 2012, Stephen Baldwin was arrested. Unpaid taxes to the state of New York were the reason for this actor’s arrest. Baldwin owes more than $350,000 in taxes after failing to pay them for three years in a row.
Stephen Baldwin
Rather than serving four years in prison, Baldwin chose to plead guilty in exchange for a $300,000 fine. He was arrested again two years later when he was caught driving with a suspended license. Despite the fact that he was quickly released, the incident was yet another embarrassing legal blunder.