Several media outlets, including comprehensive coverage in Variety, reported that actress Reese Witherspoon and her agent husband, James Toth, have both been criminally charged following a drunk driving incident in Atlanta, Georgia on April 19.
The pair was jailed for a short while after being pulled over, according to an official in the city's Department of Corrections. They were both released at about 3:30 a.m.
Toth was seen driving in the wrong lane prior to the arrest. Witherspoon, allegedly disobeying officer's instructions and arguing with an officer, was handcuffed.
Meredith O'Sullivan Wasson, Witherspoon's publicist, declined to comment at the time of the arrest, as did Toth's employer, Creative Artists Agency.
An attorney, representing both Toth and Witherspoon, is expected to appear in court and ask that the court date be postponed.
The couple was in Atlanta shooting the film, "The Good Lie", and production was allegedly not affected by their arrests.
While driving a silver 2013 Ford Focus, officers saw Toth weave across a double line on Peachtree Street. Once pulled over into a Walgreen's parking lot, officers detected the odor of alcohol on Toth's breath and proceeded to administer a field sobriety test.
While Toth began the testing Witherspoon, seated in the car, became agitated. Officers instructed her to stay inside of the vehicle for her own safety.
According to the officer's report, "Mrs. Witherspoon began to hang out the window and say that she did not believe that I was a real police officer. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to sit on her butt and be quiet."
As her husband was being arrested, Witherspoon failed to heed the officer's instructions and got out of the car. She allegedly told the officers that she is a "U.S. citizen" and there was no law to prevent her from standing "on American ground."
The officer's report stated that as he attempted to grab Witherspoon's arms to arrest her she resisted and Toth tried to quiet her down.
Witherspoon allegedly asked the officer "Do you know my name?" To which he responded, "No, I don't need to know your name…right now."
Witherspoon they said, "You're about to find out who I am…you are going to be on national news." The officer told her he was fine with that outcome.
Toth's Breathalyzer testing resulted in a reading of .139 blood alcohol content, though he claimed to have only consumed a single drink hours before driving.
Along with DUI, Toth is facing a charge for failing to maintain a lane while driving. Witherspoon has been charged with "disorderly conduct (obstruction)."
Witherspoon has starred in several films in over 20 years including "Walk the Line", "Legally Blonde" and "Water for Elephants."
Witherspoon has since released this statement: "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 is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I'm very sorry for my behavior."
If you have been charged with DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI do the smart thing and contact a DUI attorney to defend you in court as soon as possible.