"O.C." Star Mischa Barton Facing DUI Rap

WEST HOLLYWOOD, (Calif.) - Former "O.C." star Mischa Barton is facing some real world legal troubles after being nabbed for driving under the influence early Thursday morning, according to police.

Barton, 21, was arrested and charged with DUI and operating a vehicle without a license at 2:46 a.m. after Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies of the West Hollywood Division pulled her over in the 900 block of North La Cienega Blvd. when she was observed allegedly straddling two lanes of traffic and failing to signal a turn, according to a press release from the department Thursday.

During the stop, it was determined that the actress was operating without a driver's license, according to the release.

Barton was transported to the West Hollywood Station at 720 N. San Vilente Blvd. where she was booked on the misdemeanor and held on $10,000 bail, according to the release.

Deputy Maribel Rizo said there would be no further comment from the department other than what was included in the release, and said the department could not confirm earlier published reports that illegal narcotics were also found in the vehicle during the stop.

Barton is perhaps best known for her portrayal of "Marissa Cooper" in the television series "The O.C." from 2003-06. Her character died in a car crash at the end of the third season.

The English-born actress has also appeared in films including, "Notting Hill," "The Sixth Sense," and the upcoming "Virgin Territory."

Barton's attorney Patti Felker of the entertainment law firm, Nelson, Felker, Toczek, Davis LLP on Wilshire Blvd., could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon and a receptionist at the eight-member firm said they were not allowed to comment on the incident.

The receptionist, who would not giver her name during a telephone interview, said there are no current plans for a statement by Barton's family as of Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from the William Morris Agency, who signed Barton in 2003, could not be reached for comment because their offices are closed until Jan. 7 for the holidays, a woman from their answering service said.