Actress Mackenzie Phillips pleads guilty

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION

STEVE COOLEY District Attorney JOSEPH SCOTT Director
JOHN K. SPILLANE Chief Deputy District Attorney SANDI GIBBONS P.I.O.
JANE ROBISON News Secretary
SHIARA M. DÁVILA Asst. P.I.O.

18-1112 Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
210 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-3525

 

Oct. 31, 2008

Actress pleads guilty to drug charge; placed on a diversion program

LOS ANGELES – Actress Mackenzie Phillips pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge and was placed on a diversion program today at an unscheduled appearance in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Phillips, 49, had been scheduled to appear in court for arraignment next week. Instead, the former "One Day at a Time" actress and her attorney showed up at the Airport Branch Court this morning and asked to advance the case.

The actress was charged on Sept. 3 with two felony counts – possession of cocaine and possession of heroin – and one misdemeanor count of the unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle or syringe (SA068775). She was arrested by Los Angeles Airport police on Aug. 27.

Deputy District Attorney Eric Perrodin, the prosecutor, said Phillips pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and was placed on a "deferred entry of judgment program." Under the program, a defendant has to complete court-monitored drug diversion programs.

Perrodin said the defendant is monitored by the court for an 18-month period. It could be less, he said, if the court is satisfied with the defendant's progress.

Phillips' first progress report before Superior Court Judge Kenneth L. Schwartz at the Airport Branch is Jan. 22, Perrodin said.

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Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Criminal Justice Center
210 W. Temple St., 18th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90012
Phone: 213-974-3528
Email address: sandi@da.lacounty.gov