Reese Witherspoon ‘Deeply Embarrassed’ About Disorderly Conduct, Husband’s DUI

The actress was arrested over an alleged tirade at a police officer after her husband was charged with driving under the influence.

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City of Atlanta Department of Corrections / Reuters

Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon was arrested in Atlanta for alleged disorderly conduct after her husband, talent agent James Toth, was stopped by police on suspicion of drunken driving.

When Reese Witherspoon reportedly couldn’t talk a police officer out of handing her husband Jim Toth a DUI charge, she lost her cool — and received a disorderly conduct charge of her own.  Now, the actress says she is “deeply embarrassed” for the behavior that got her arrested early Friday morning in Atlanta, Ga., according to the Associated Press.

The Legally Blonde star released a statement late Sunday apologizing for her behavior:

“I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said.  It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I’m very sorry for my behavior.”

Witherspoon said she couldn’t comment further “out of respect” for the pending case, and her publicist offered no other details, AP reported.

The Legally Blonde actress was arrested after failing to stay in her car while her husband was given a field sobriety test.  Toth, a talent agent with Creative Artists Agency, was pulled over after an officer witnessed the couple’s Ford Focus weaving across a double line, Variety reported.

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The police officer who pulled them over said Toth had droopy eyelids and watery, bloodshot eyes, and that his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, the Washington Post noted.  He then blew a .139 on a Breathalyzer test, according to the Los Angeles Times.

But during Toth’s field sobriety test, Witherspoon repeatedly got out of the car, despite instructions to remain in her vehicle, reported Variety. As her husband was being arrested she got out of the car again and told Trooper First Class J. Pyland that “she was a ‘U.S. citizen’ and that she was allowed to ‘stand on American ground.’”  The officer then arrested her.

Variety reports that the 37-year-old actress apparently resisted arrest, which resulted in her husband having to calm her down.  But not before Witherspoon allegedly asked Pyland, “Do you know my name?” and told him that “You’re about to find out who I am.”  She then reportedly said: “You’re going to be on national news.”

The couple were released on bond in the early hours of Friday morning.  A court appearance was scheduled for 8 a.m.  Monday in Atlanta Municipal Court, but their attorney was expected to request the court date be postponed, according to Variety.

Witherspoon is in Atlanta shooting the independent film The Good Lie.

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