Bravo Insider Exclusive!

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more!

Sign Up for Free to View
The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of Orange County

Gina Kirschenheiter Receives Sentence After Pleading Guilty to DUI Charge

The Real Housewives of Orange County mom was arrested for driving under the influence in January.

By Laura Rosenfeld
Gina Kirschenheiter

Gina Kirschenheiter pleaded guilty in her DUI case on Tuesday, July 9, E! News and Us Weekly have confirmed.

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Thursdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock. Catch up on the Bravo App.

The Real Housewives of Orange County mom 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, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. Gina 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.

Gina was stopped by police in Rancho Santa Margarita, California for a suspected traffic violation on January 31. She was then placed under arrest for driving under the influence and taken to a jail. Gina was released with a citation the next day.

"I made a very bad choice the other night after a mom’s night out," Gina shared 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 incident "will NEVER BE ME again" as she apologized for her arrest in a post on Instagram on February 4. "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 shared. "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."

View this post on Instagram

I honestly believe that some issues no matter how great and important are truly only a part of our awareness once we are personally effected by them. For me....what happened this week is that issue. It’s amazing how in the course of less than a week you can realize the full extent of allowing people into your every day life and how the opinions of everyone watching can run from incredibly chastising to extremely supportive. Bad choices have bad consequences. Mine are magnified bc I chose to share my life with you on a very public stage. Those who are a part of my real life gave me words of encouragement and love knowing the content of my character and the love in my heart. As embarrassed and hard on myself as I’ve been in these past few days, I’ve been shocked by the astonishing amount of “it could have happened to anyone” and “we’ve all been there” that I’ve received through friends both close to me and on social media. I could easily join in with the chorus saying “you’re right, it could be any of us” but it shouldn’t be any of us. EVER ! It’s terrible that this has become a social norm. I am disappointed in myself and that I am a part of this social norm. Especially since everyone who knows me knows I’m the queen of Uber/Lyft. This didn’t happen to me. I wasn’t “unlucky” I made a conscious decision to do something epically stupid. One time is one time too many. I am awake now. I can promise this will NEVER BE ME again. 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. 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.

A post shared by Gina Kirschenheiter (@ginakirschenheiter) on

This latest update in Gina's DUI case comes just a couple of weeks after her husband was arrested on suspicions relating to domestic violence. Gina subsequently filed a protective order against her ex.

We'll get more updates on what's been going on in Gina's life when RHOC returns for Season 14 on Tuesday, August 6 at 9/8c.

Want the latest Bravo updates? Text us for breaking news and more!