Judge dismisses drug charges against Robert Downey Jr.

Sac Bee ^ | 7/19/02 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

INDIO, Calif. (AP) - Drug charges against actor Robert Downey Jr. were dismissed Friday by a judge who also ended his probation.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Randall D. White made his ruling after determining that Downey had stayed clean and sober for 14 months.

[Vidalia]

Don't ya just love these Teflon Toads?

[NormsRevenge]

"Downey had stayed clean and sober for 14 months." So says the Judge ..

Good Job!

[swheats]

And they determined that by daily drug tests?

[Skwidd]

Wow, the rich really are different from us!

[otterpond]

Downey told the judge he was serious about staying out of trouble.

There is absolutely no reason to think he was just saying what the judge wanted to hear.

[TBall]

Good job indeed, but I would not be surprised to find out tomorrow that he got arrested after buying an eight ball to celebrate.

[swheats]

Yea, it's the zeros that make the difference.

[Freee-dame]

Wow, the rich really are different from us!

They are all too human when it comes to fighting their personal demons. I hope he can stay clean.

[happytobealive]

All right all you experienced Libertines out there. What are the odds that he'll continue to abstain?

[11th Earl of Mar]

The judge said, "I am making this decision on my best interpretation of the law... And would you, Mr. Downey, please sign my DVD?"

[NRA2BFree]

Wow, the rich really are different from us!

Nah, money has nothing to do with it....he's just a good boy. LOL

[giznort]

I wish I could sign on to this deal for planned DWI misbehavior (Driving While Intoxicated). No, wait, they're lowering the legal limit to .08. No one gets off, no how. Unless maybe you're a Hollywood celeb or Mr. Downey!

[stilts]

I don't believe it was a DWI violation. He was arrested at the hotel with drugs in the room on a probation violation. He did do a year in jail, was released into a supervised rehab program for 14 months, and then the Judge let him off. It is not as if a skated clear. With the drug courts that have been implemented in most SoCal counties the average offender is gets a less severe sentence then Downey. (I.e. rehab without jail time, unless you violate as he did.)

[NYCVirago]

They should put his father in jail -- Robert Downey, Sr. is the one who gave his son drugs when he was the ripe old age of 8!

[stilts]

They should put his father in jail -- Robert Downey, Sr. is the one who gave his son drugs when he was the ripe old age of 8!

That is sick. Where did that piece of info come out?

[JudyB1938]

http://www.rdjfan.com/SR/index.shtm

Birth Name: Robert John Elias Jr. Note: changed his last name to Downey after his step-father when he joined the Army at age 16.

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Derby/5072/qa.html

Q. HOW AND WHEN DID HE START?
A. Robert's story is very different from other people's in this respect because he says he's been addicted to drugs in one form or another since he was eight years old. His father, Robert Downey Sr., was an underground filmmaker and drugs were a common sight around their house in the 60's and 70's. His father says that when Robert was ten years old, he asked for pot and then for cocaine, and his father gave them to him. At fifteen, Robert says he started to try to get help.

Q. WHY DID HE START?
A. Basically we know that Robert Downey Jr.'s dad turned him on. When dealing with families where addiction runs rampant, his father's actions aren't unique. Without knowing more about his family's history, an answer can't really be given. However, when discussing dysfunctional families in general, there are a couple of things that can be considered. In all these families, normal feelings or adequate displays of healthy affection aren't demonstrated. It's not out of cruelty or abuse; it's just that the parents don't possess the skills needed to do so. Robert Downey Sr. most likely got his views on parenting & parenting skills from his own parents.

[JudyB1938]

Oops. Correction. The name change was done by SENIOR not Jr.

[alisasny]

Interesting how CA had room for Downey in jail but Avila was aquitted.