21 Celebrities Arrested for Various Crimes

21 Infamous Celebrity Arrests: A Look at the Stars Who Landed in Handcuffs

 

It’s always shocking when we hear about our favorite celebrities getting arrested. Sometimes the reasons are as mundane as a traffic violation, while other times, they face serious charges. Recently, comedian Luenell recounted a wild story on a podcast about her own bank robbery escapade, where she swiped a whopping $50,000 and did time for it. Inspired by her tale, I thought it would be fascinating to compile a list of other celebrities who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

 

1. **Hugh Grant** – In 1995, the charming British actor was caught in a compromising situation in a car with a sex worker. Grant ended up pleading no contest, resulting in probation and mandatory attendance at an AIDS education program. Not your typical scandal for a romantic lead.

2. **Winona Ryder** – The actress made headlines in 2001 when she was arrested for stealing about $5,000 worth of clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue. Despite the store’s requests to drop the charges, Ryder was convicted of grand theft, leading to an unexpected friendship with designer Marc Jacobs.

 

3. **Martha Stewart** – The culinary mogul was embroiled in a major scandal in 2003 related to insider trading. While she was never convicted of that charge, Stewart did serve time for obstruction of justice after misleading federal investigators, spending five months in prison and facing probation.

 

4. **Robert Downey Jr.** – Known for his troubled past, Downey faced numerous drug-related arrests throughout the ’90s and early 2000s. His battles with addiction led him to serve time and miss court appearances, all stemming from his early exposure to drugs.

 

5. **Justin Bieber** – In 2014, the pop star got himself into trouble for driving under the influence in Miami. His behavior during the arrest drew attention, particularly his defiance and attitude. Bieber later reflected on this event as a low point in his life.

 

6. **Paris Hilton** – Arrested initially for DUI in 2006, Hilton’s legal troubles continued into 2010 when she was found with illegal substances during a separate incident in Nevada, leading to more community service and fines.

 

7. **Justin Timberlake** – Timberlake’s detour into the world of law came after a stop sign violation. He was pulled over for swerving and subsequently arrested, famously lamenting that it would ruin an impending tour.

 

8. **Chace Crawford** – The former “Gossip Girl” star was caught in 2010 with a marijuana joint in his car. After completing community service, all charges against him were cleared.

 

9. **Frank Sinatra** – Back in 1938, Sinatra faced charges of seduction, which later morphed into adultery. This bizarre legal situation stemmed from his romantic entanglements with a married woman. The charges were ultimately dismissed after he paid bail.

 

10. **Tim Allen** – In the late 1970s, the comedian was arrested at an airport for drug trafficking when he was caught with a significant amount of cocaine. Following his guilty plea, he served time but later turned his life around.

 

11. **Bill Gates** – Even tech giants aren’t immune to the law. Gates was pulled over in 1977 for driving without a license and spent an uncomfortable night in custody.

 

12. **Tiger Woods** – The golf legend faced DUI charges in 2017 after being found asleep at the wheel under the influence of several substances. He later managed to plead to a lesser charge.

 

13. **Mick Jagger and Keith Richards** – In a high-profile raid in 1967, the Rolling Stones duo was arrested for drug possession. Public backlash ensued, ultimately leading to lighter sentences than what might have been expected for such high-profile stars.

 

14. **Johnny Depp** – Depp’s antics led to multiple brushes with the law, notably a 1994 arrest for trashing a hotel room during a heated argument with then-girlfriend Kate Moss.

 

15. **Shailene Woodley** – The actress was taken into custody in 2017 while protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. Her experience was intense, involving a search and subsequent discussions of PTSD due to the incident.

 

16. **Lindsay Lohan** – Lohan’s tenure with the law included multiple arrests from 2007 to 2012 for various offenses, including DUI and theft, illustrating a turbulent chapter in her life.

 

17. **Bill Cosby** – Facing a barrage of accusations, Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in Pennsylvania. His case has continued to evolve, with various legal battles ongoing.

 

18. **Jane Fonda** – In a remarkable turn of events, Fonda’s 1970 arrest for drug smuggling resulted in the reveal that the alleged drugs were simply vitamins, highlighting the absurdity of the accusations.

 

19. **Woody Harrelson** – The actor was arrested in the early ’80s for dancing in the street and attempting to flee from police. An unconventional choice for a Hollywood star!

 

20. **Jay-Z** – In 1999, the rapper was arrested for allegedly stabbing a record executive. He served probation after ultimately changing his plea.

 

21. **Matthew McConaughey** – In a bizarre 1999 incident, McConaughey found himself naked and playing bongo drums at home, leading to a public disturbance arrest. The amusing circumstances of the arrest made headlines as he faced off with the police.

 

These celebrities are just a few examples of stars who turned their personal dilemmas into public stories. Each case reflects the complexities of fame and the often problematic relationship between celebrities and the law.