Amanda Bynes DUI News Update: Star Mentally Unfit for Trial; Case Moved to Mental-Health Court
Former Nickelodeon Star Amanda Bynes won't be tried for her DUI offense yet, as a judge referred her case Tuesday to the mental health court, according to Ace Showbiz.
Deemed to be mentally unfit to stand trial, Bynes will be back in court next year yet, on January 14, 2014, for a progress report. The "Easy A" actress was supposed to appear in court September 24 for her DUI arrest in April 2012, but her lawyer Richard Hutton declared a 1368 PC [Penal Code] hearing to declare a doubt to mental competency, according to US Weekly.
Hutton explained that Bynes does not have the mental capacity to understand the meaning and impact of court proceedings. As a result, the judge ordered Bynes' case to be transferred to the mental health court, so that her mental state and capacity may be evaluated, as reported by Fox News.
In July, the 27-year-old actress was placed on an involuntary 5150 psychiatric hold after an episode of bizarre behaviour, wherein she set a fire on a stranger's driveway in Thousand Oaks, California. The residence was near her parent's home. Upon the request of her doctor, her confinement was extended for a whole month.
The incident caused the "Hairspray" actress to be placed under a temporary conservatorship of her parents, who have been granted the right to oversee her financial and legal affairs. The conservatorship may be made permanent after a scheduled formal hearing on September 30.
Bynes' DUI arrest was made in April 2012, when she reportedly hit a patrol car in West Hollywood. The actress refused a sobriety test, and later pleaded not guilty for the DUI charge. Meanwhile, she is also facing marijuana possession charges in New York, according to Reuters.
The "Sydney White" star has been displaying odd, erratic behaviour recently, with her rants on social media implying that the actress indeed has mental issues. She is currently getting treated at the UCLA Medical Center.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!