Gina Kirschenheiter Confirms Her License Was Suspended Following DUI Arrest
"I would implore everybody to not make the same decision that I made," the RHOC mom said.
Gina Kirschenheiter reflected on her arrest and subsequent DUI charge during her appearance on Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen on Tuesday night.
The Real Housewives of Orange County mom clarified the status of her license following the incident after she was seen getting behind the wheel in the latest episode of the series. "So at the beginning, I don't understand any of it, so I thought that I didn't have a license. And I was also terrified to drive, so I just wasn't driving at all," Gina explained (clip below). "Then when I retained my lawyer, I realized that I have a full license until the time I actually go to court."
Gina went on to confirm that she currently does not have a driver's license. "I've lost my license for a year as a consequence of what I've done," she shared. "It's a huge ramification for my very bad decision that I own. And I would implore everybody to not make the same decision that I made."
Gina pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more after she was stopped and placed under arrest by police in Rancho Santa Margarita, California for a suspected traffic violation on January 31. She was sentenced to three years' informal probation, to complete 20 hours of community service, and to complete six months of an alcohol program for first offenders.
"I made a very bad choice the other night after a mom’s night out," Gina said in a statement to The Daily Dish following her arrest. "I am extremely disappointed in myself and regret my actions wholeheartedly. I have learned a valuable lesson and hope to show you all that this one incident does not define me."
Gina vowed that this "will NEVER BE ME again" as she apologized for the incident in a post on Instagram on February 4, sharing that she hopes to enact positive change moving forward.
"To all of you who wrote me with pain in their hearts about how drinking and driving has had a negative impact on them and their families, I hear you. Thank you," she wrote. "I make this promise to each one of you with your messages in my heart.... I am committed to this cause and hope to effect a positive change and dialogue. You don’t have to believe me with these words, but I hope over time you will see through my actions."
