Possible Jail Time

Nicole has needed help for a very long time. No one has seemed all that concerned and now look what's happened. She's gotten herself into a very serious situation. TMZ has the low down on what's in her future:

A judge would be forced to sentence Richie to jail if convicted on this charge because Nicole's recent arrest is actually her second DUI.

In 2002, she pleaded no contest to Driving Under the Influence.

And, per California state law, a judge must impose a mandatory sentence of five consecutive days in county jail as well as a one year license suspension for anyone twice-convicted of DUI.

Additionally, Nicole would be ordered to attend an alcohol eduction program for a year-and-a-half, even if the second conviction is not alcohol-related.

Richie was given three years probation for her 2002 DUI conviction and had her license suspended for one year. Six months after that incident, she was arrested again - this time for possession of heroin and for driving with a suspended license.

In October 2002, Nicole was arrested at NYC club Bungalow for an assault charge (which was later dropped).

Richie revealed to Vanity Fair this year that before her second stint in rehab for heroin addiction, she had gotten into five car accidents. "Two were totals," she said.

Also, Us Weekly reports that the week prior to her December 11th arrest, Nicole went out partying six out of seven nights.

And, on December 9th witnesses saw her on a particularly wild night at Hyde lounge, where bottle after bottle of alcohol was brought to her table and she "drank and drank" all night long.

Well, I think this latest F up just might have saved her life. She was on a downward spiral and going towards bottom fast. Hopefully this will help her get back on the right track.