Christina Aguilera released from custody, won't face criminal charges

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials released Christina Aguilera on Tuesday morning after arresting her on suspicion of public drunkenness, and said they don't plan to seek criminal charges against the singer.

Rather, Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said the arrest will go on her record but the case will not be forwarded to prosecutors. He said Aguilera was taken into custody for her own safety and that the circumstances don't merit criminal charges.

"There will no court date, and there will be no prosecution," he said.

Officials said that at around 2:45 a.m. deputies initiated a DUI investigation after noticing a motorist who was driving erratically. The driver, who was not immediately identified, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Inside the car, deputies noticed Aguilera, who was described by authorities as being "very intoxicated," according to one source familiar with the case.

Deputies decided that Aguilera would not be able to drive safely on her own and, using a provision of the law that allows them to hold individuals in protective custody, took her to the West Hollywood sheriff's station and booked her on a misdemeanor, the source said.

Officials said the law allows them to keep an individual in custody for safety reasons.

Aguilera made headlines at the Super Bowl for forgetting some words for the national anthem. She later issued an apology: "I got so caught up in the moment of the song that I lost my place. I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through."

She starred opposite Cher in last year's movie "Burlesque."

RELATED:

Deputies arrested 'very intoxicated' Aguilera over concerns for her safety

Christina Aguilera arrested on public-drunkenness charge in West Hollywood

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Jim]

What a shame, It appears that Christina's life is headed down the same road Lohan's and Charlie Sheen's. Tragic really.

Up until she went overboard to show the world what her "true self" really is, I was one of her biggest fans.

I still think she's probably the best female vocalist of all time. She just suffers from what so many "celebrities" that have tremendous talent suffer from...

Talented, but not very bright.

[Rocco]

Why even charge her with a misdemeanor? I'm sure they could have located somebody to take her home. She probably has a few friends and associates out there.

[huh?]

"Rather, Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said the arrest will go on her record but the case will not be forwarded to prosecutors. He said Aguilera was taken into custody for her own safety and that the circumstances don't merit criminal charges."

In other words they could not pass up the publicity of arresting another celebrity whether or not an arrest was warranted. For her own safety we'll arrest her instead of allowing her to call someone to pick her up.

[samo]

Forget the DUI, she should have been arrested for not knowing the national anthem!

[joey]

Man oh man, what's happening to you, Christina? You need to get your life together and stop hanging around losers and leaches who have no regard for your welfare.

Come on Christina, you still have a lot to offer the world and can accomplish so much good. Open your eyes and take a thoughtful and honest look in the mirror before you throw your life away.

[driveon]

"using a provision of the law that allows them to hold individuals in protective custody, took her to the West Hollywood Sheriff's station and booked her on a misdemeanor." "....the law allows them to keep an individual in custody for safety reasons."

Too bad that that same provision couldn't be applied to Mitrice Richardson. If it had been, perhaps she'd still be alive today.

[salvador r callejas]

That's so nice of them, no charges? ...... wow.
Yet they feel so proud when they arrest a guy selling oranges at the freeway off ramps . I wonder what or who is more dangerous?
She was driving DRUNK, so if the law is blind, she should be charged with a D.U.I. just like any other citizen.
Shame on the arrogant LACSD.

[Brett]

I guess they decided that she'd been punished enough after seeing "Burlesque."

[Gee]

Special treatment , Do they do the same thing for everybody else??

[Fallen Star]

Just because you effed up at the Superbowl doesn't mean life is over. So what, people make mistakes. Yeah Christina, you're what I consider "normal people"...you're human like the rest of us. Suck it up and move on.!

[Richard]

I think charging her would have just been an embarrassment.
She was in a car, not wandering the streets. Now the real problem is
was that she was stupid enough to trust someone who was willing to
drive while intoxicated. She has a child who needs her.

Putting Christina Aguilera in the Charlie Sheen category is more than
a little bit early. Yes, she got drunk, but its not like she has been doing
this on a regular basis. She's just gotten divorced, been unfairly criticized
for the flub on the National anthem, and her movie was less than the success
she could have hoped for.

Let's face it, most of us do not have even the smallest portion of her talent,
so to beret her for being imperfect is just plain silly.

I do hope that the next time she decides to indulge that she include a friend
who does not drink, or simply rents a limo. Even it just avoids a tiny accident
it will far less costly to her in the long run. And frankly, she should not
associate with anyone who is stupid enough to drive drunk. She makes a
good living with her voice and her look, either which could be damaged by
something that can easily be avoided.

I look forward to seeing her produce music and perhaps a movie that is
written better, she need not be the "star" to shine if given the right vehicle.

[Lysette]

Where is the crime? She was charged with a misdemeanor for being a drunk passenger basically.

The obvious solution for an intoxicated passenger is to get a cab or ride from another friend, not arrested and charged. Outrageous.

[yep_yep]

good one driveon but....

[joe s]

so what she got drunk, at least she was not behind the wheel of a car, all you people with your negativity, GET A LIFE

[Ana]

I have the feeling that she may be having a drug problem...It could be some medication or some illegal drug :(

[Atlanta Roofing]

Come on Christina, You're much better than this and this dude you call your boyfriend. This is not the attention that you need nor want. You need to crawl out of this hole you put yourself in and embrace the beautiful woman that you are rather then sinking further down. You have a child and the last thing you want is for him to be take away. Be careful and clear your head because it's a big hot mess right now.

[Gary M]

Why did they arrest her if they were only concerned about her safety. They could have called a taxi or they could have let her sit in the lobby for a friend to pick her up. They only wanted the publicity.
How much did it cost the citizens of West Hollywood to arrest her, book her, write the reports, and then process her release.

[Gary M]

Steve Whitmore is a joke.