Kim Richards Pleads Not Guilty In Criminal Case, Checks Into New Rehab Just Hours Before Court Hearing
Kim Richards pled not guilty Thursday to the three misdemeanor charges she is facing relating to her April 16 arrest at the Polo Lounge. The RHOBH star checked into a different treatment facility late Wednesday night, just hours before she was due to appear in court.
According to E! News, the star’s attorney, Robert Shapiro, sent an associate to enter Kim Richard’s not guilty plea in Los Angeles Superior Court. Because Richards did not appear at her arraignment Thursday morning, the associate explained to Commissioner Jane Godfrey that the reality star remains in rehab.
During Thursday’s hearing, the deputy district attorney in the case offered a deal of three years’ summary probation, 30 days in jail, or 30 days community service, plus pay restitution to the victim. In addition, if Kim Richards accepts the plea deal, she will have to complete 52 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The reality star was also ordered to stay from the Beverly Hills Hotel.
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Kim Richards was due in L.A. Superior Court Thursday morning to face three misdemeanor charges stemming from her April 16 arrest, which include public intoxication, battery on a peace officer, and resisting arrest. If convicted, the reality star faces a maximum sentence of two years and six months in jail.
Radar Online reports just hours before Richards was scheduled to appear at Thursday’s arraignment, she entered yet another rehab facility, her third since following her arrest in April. This facility reportedly focuses on intensive inpatient treatment.
“Kim entered inpatient treatment late Wednesday night. It’s a program that lasts up to two years!”
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Kim Richards will not return to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a full-time cast member, although she may appear a few times in Season 6, which is set to begin filming this summer. Radar Online reports the facility Kim entered late Wednesday night allows patients to work, which is something Richards is reportedly desperate to do. The reality star may have checked in at this particular center in order to salvage her relationship with Bravo producers, who have so far seemed unimpressed with the star’s behavior.
“Her bosses were aware she was entering a long-term treatment program that allows her to work because she desperately wants to save the relationship with the network now.”
Kim Richards has been ordered to attend the next court date in the case, which has been set for July 16.
[Image by Evans Vestal Ward / Bravo]
