Lawyer Says Actress Innocent of DUI
Actress Shannen Doherty’s lawyer on Friday said his client was not driving drunk when she was arrested last month in Thousand Oaks, and said that she will vigorously defend herself on any charges.
“Ms. Doherty vehemently denies that she was driving under the influence,” said Trent Copeland, who appeared in Ventura County Superior Court Friday on her behalf. “We’ll do whatever it takes to defend her.”
Doherty was scheduled for arraignment Friday, but Commissioner Ruben De La Torre continued the arraignment until Feb. 23. The Superior Court uses commissioners to handle limited types of cases, such as traffic court matters.
Doherty, who is best known for her role as Brenda Walsh on the TV show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” was pulled over by California Highway Patrol officers on Dec. 28 after they noticed her black 2001 Ford pickup weaving in and out of lanes. She was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and was released several hours later on her own recognizance.
Doherty faces a misdemeanor DUI charge, according to the Ventura County district attorney’s office.
Copeland said his client did not appear in court Friday because she is busy with her work schedule on the WB series “Charmed.”
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