Luann de Lesseps is best known for her verbal altercations as a cast member of the Bravo reality show Real Housewives of New York. However, it was a drastically different type of altercation that led to her arrest and plea deal in a Florida courtroom. The altercation began with her trespassing in a Florida hotel and ended with her assaulting a police officer.

This week, de Lesseps agreed to plead guilty to three criminal charges: battery, trespass, and disorderly intoxication. The 53-year-old reality TV star avoided jail, but she will face one year of probation, 50 hours of community service, and mandatory rehab. The court had also previously ordered de Lesseps to issue a written apology to the officer she struck, which she has since done.

After the current rehab stint – her second of 2018 so far – de Lesseps must attend two Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week as well as one victim impact class held by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She is also barred from possessing or consuming alcohol and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

The plea deal appears lenient given that de Lesseps was initially charged with a felony count of resisting an officer with violence. The charge carried a maximum of five years in prison. The incident in question began on Christmas Eve 2017 in Palm Beach, Florida. According to the Palm Beach Police, de Lesseps was arrested in the early hours of December 24 after trespassing in a hotel room with an unidentified man. When approached by officers, de Lesseps locked herself in a hotel bathroom. After she was removed from the bathroom, de Lesseps allegedly kicked an officer in the course of her arrest. In the days following the arrest, she apologized for her behavior and blamed it on a recent breakup.

Finding the Right Defense Attorney

Despite facing the potential of prison time and a felony conviction, de Lesseps was able to resolve her charges without jail time. Her attorneys were able to negotiate a favorable outcome with prosecutors, putting her on the path to get her life in order.

The truth is, you don't have to be a celebrity to get a favorable outcome in your criminal case. An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to review the facts of your case and your background in building a defense that will best suit you. There are even unique tools in Washington state law that a defense attorney may be able to use to have your misdemeanor criminal charges dismissed.

Known as the compromise of a misdemeanor law, this tool will allow for first-time offenders to see their misdemeanor charges dismissed as long as they reach a civil agreement with anyone they may have financially harmed. These charges are most often used in cases of vandalism and shoplifting. They allow a first-time offender to avoid a criminal record while still making the victim whole. Steve Karimi is a criminal defense attorney in the Seattle area who is ready to discuss your case with you. Contact the Law Office of Steve Karimi today for a free consultation.