Celebs Who Have Criminal Records

The public often perceives celebrities as living charmed lives far removed from the legal struggles of ordinary citizens. However, several high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry have faced criminal charges and served time in the justice system. These records range from drug-related offenses and financial crimes to more serious physical altercations. Understanding the legal histories of these stars provides a complete picture of their personal journeys and professional resilience.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. faced multiple legal issues between 1996 and 2001 involving various drug-related charges. He was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded weapon while speeding down Sunset Boulevard. Following several parole violations, he was sentenced to three years at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison. He later achieved sobriety and successfully petitioned for a pardon from the Governor of California in 2015. His career eventually rebounded with his leading role in ‘Iron Man’.

Mark Wahlberg

At the age of 16, Mark Wahlberg was charged with attempted murder, which was later reduced to felony assault. He pleaded guilty to the charges after attacking two Vietnamese-American men in separate incidents on the same day. He was sentenced to two years in the Deer Island House of Correction; however, he served only 45 days. Wahlberg has since discussed how his time in the correctional system served as a turning point in his life. He later sought a pardon for the incident, though he eventually dropped the request in 2016.

Martha Stewart

Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart was convicted in 2004 on multiple felony counts related to an insider trading investigation. The charges included the following: conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal investigators. She was sentenced to five months in a federal correctional facility followed by five months of home confinement. During her legal proceedings, her business empire faced significant scrutiny and financial impact. Stewart completed her sentence and returned to her media career, appearing in programs like ‘The Apprentice: Martha Stewart’.

Tim Allen

In 1978, Tim Allen was arrested at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for possession of over 650 grams of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and provided information about other dealers to avoid a possible life sentence. He served two years and four months in a federal correctional institution in Minnesota. Following his release, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. He eventually found mainstream success as the lead of the sitcom ‘Home Improvement’.

Danny Trejo

Danny Trejo spent a significant portion of his early life incarcerated in various California prisons, including San Quentin and Folsom. His convictions included charges of armed robbery and various drug offenses over an 11-year period. While serving time, he became a champion boxer in the prison system and completed a rehabilitation program. Upon his release, he began working as a youth drug counselor and accidentally entered the film industry as an extra. He eventually became a staple of action cinema, starring in ‘Machete’.

Mike Tyson

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 following an incident in Indianapolis. He was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation for his crimes. Tyson served three years of his sentence at the Indiana Youth Center; he was released on parole in 1995. This conviction led to his registration as a Tier II sex offender under federal law. Despite his legal history, he remained a prominent figure in sports and pop culture, appearing in ‘The Hangover’.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder made headlines in 2001 when she was arrested for shoplifting from a department store in Beverly Hills. She was subsequently convicted of grand theft and felony vandalism for taking thousands of dollars worth of designer merchandise. The court sentenced her to three years of probation, significant fines, and 480 hours of community service. Following the trial, the actress took a multi-year hiatus from the film industry to focus on her personal life. She later returned to prominent roles, including her performance in the series ‘Stranger Things’.

50 Cent

Rapper 50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, was arrested in 1994 for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer. During a subsequent search of his home, authorities discovered the following: heroin, crack cocaine, and a starting pistol. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison but instead served six months in a shock incarceration boot camp. This period of his life heavily influenced the lyrical content of his debut album. He has since become a successful entrepreneur and executive producer for the television series ‘Power’.

Felicity Huffman

In 2019, Felicity Huffman was arrested as part of a federal investigation into a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud for paying to have her daughter’s SAT scores inflated. The judge sentenced her to several requirements: 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service. She served 11 days of her sentence at a federal correctional institution in Dublin, California. The actress was previously known for her award-winning role in ‘Desperate Housewives’.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg was convicted of cocaine possession in 1990; he served time in various county jails. In 1993, he faced charges for possession of a firearm by a felon following a traffic stop. During the recording of his debut album, he was also charged in connection with a fatal shooting but was eventually acquitted of murder. The rapper has been open about his past legal struggles and his involvement with gang culture in Long Beach. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous projects, including the film ‘Training Day’.

Khloé Kardashian

Khloé Kardashian was arrested for driving under the influence in 2007 while her family was filming their reality show. She pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to probation and mandatory enrollment in an alcohol education program. After violating her probation by failing to complete the program, she was sentenced to 30 days in jail. However, she was released after serving less than three hours due to jail overcrowding. Her legal ordeal was featured as a central plot point in the first season of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’.

Justin Bieber

In 2014, Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach on charges of driving under the influence and resisting arrest without violence. He later reached a plea deal where he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest. The singer was ordered to attend an anger management course and make a charitable donation to a youth organization. This incident followed a separate legal issue where he was charged with misdemeanor vandalism for egging a neighbor’s house. These events occurred during a period of transition while he was promoting his documentary ‘Justin Bieber’s Believe’.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez faced legal consequences in 2003 for several incidents including a hit-and-run and driving under the influence. She was sentenced to probation and a brief jail stay but later violated the terms of her release. In 2007, she was ordered to serve 180 days in jail for failing to complete her community service and alcohol monitoring. She was released early due to overcrowding in the Los Angeles County jail system. Despite these setbacks, she maintained her role in major franchises like ‘The Fast and the Furious’.

Wesley Snipes

Action star Wesley Snipes was convicted in 2008 on three misdemeanor counts: failing to file federal income tax returns. While he was acquitted of more serious felony conspiracy and fraud charges, the tax convictions led to a prison sentence. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison and began serving his time in December 2010. Following his release from a minimum-security facility in 2013, he spent several months under home confinement. His career continued with appearances in projects such as ‘The Expendables 3’.

Share your perspectives on these celebrity legal stories and how they impacted their careers in the comments.