Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers to avoid jail and pay $500 fine after entering plea deal over DUI arrest, legal documents show

Actor pleaded guilty to a reckless driving charge, while two for driving under the influence were dropped in deal

Isobel Lewis
Monday 28 February 2022 11:24 GMT
Meyers in September 2021
Meyers in September 2021 (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers will avoid spending time in jail following his 2020 DUI arrest, legal documents have shown.

In November 2020, the Bend It Like Beckham star was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after police were called to the scene of a minor, solo car accident in Malibu.

Meyers was said to have shown signs of intoxication before failing a sobriety test.

Now, legal documents obtained by TMZ have shown that the actor was charged at the time with three offences – two DUI-related and one for reckless driving.

As part of his deal, Meyers pleaded guilty to the reckless driving charge. The other two were dropped, meaning he will not be sentenced to time in jail.

Instead, he will pay a $500 (£373) fine and be subject to a one-year summary probation, during which he must complete an alcohol education and counselling programme.

The Golden Globe-nominated actor has struggled with addiction issues in the past and has been to rehab multiple times.

In 2018, he was arrested as he touched down at LAX airport following a row with his wife on board a plane journey. Of the incident, he told Larry King that he was at fault for breaking his sobriety.

“When my wife found that I’d ordered a drink, she got very, very angry with me because I shouldn’t drink,” he said. “It doesn’t suit me and I had been sober for a long time.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, you can confidentially call the national alcohol helpline Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 or visit the NHS website here for information about the programmes available to you.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in