Lawyers representing Tiffany Haddish have submitted a formal request to a Georgia court seeking the dismissal of her 2022 driving under the influence arrest, arguing that statutory time limits have been exceeded. The 46-year-old actress and comedian was taken into custody in the early hours of January 14, 2022, in Peachtree City, Georgia, after authorities responded to reports of a driver asleep at the wheel on a highway.
Details of the Arrest and Legal Proceedings
According to a news release from the Peachtree City Police at the time, Haddish, star of the film Girls Trip, was pulled over after stopping in the yard of a residence. She was subsequently arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail, where she was released after posting a $1,666 bond. More than four years later, Haddish's legal team has filed a motion asserting that her constitutional right to a speedy trial has been compromised by delays in the case.
In a court filing reviewed by Fox 5 Atlanta, attorneys for the Emmy-winning actress-comic argued that the slow progression of the case has been 'presumptively prejudicial' under Georgia legal statutes. The filing notes that the court has not entered any orders for more than two years following a motion to suppress hearing conducted on May 2, 2024. Prosecutors in Georgia filed motions to continue the case twice last year, in March and May, according to Haddish's lawyers.
Impact on Haddish's Career and Travel
Haddish's attorneys stated that they have declared themselves 'ready for trial' on at least ten occasions and have followed up with the court twelve times to flag the undetermined rulings. The outstanding case has also complicated Haddish's efforts to obtain travel clearances for filming in Australia, her legal team told the court. Additionally, they argued that the unresolved case has caused Haddish to miss out on 'financial compensation' from lost business opportunities. The lawyers emphasized that time is a critical element, as memories become less reliable with the passage of time.
A motion hearing in the case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on November 7, according to the Fayette County Clerk of Court's website. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Haddish for further comment.
Subsequent DUI Incident in California
Haddish was arrested again in connection with driving under the influence less than two years later, on November 24, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. In that incident, police found her sleeping in her vehicle with the engine running on Beverly Drive. This led to a charge of improper stopping on a roadway. Authorities believed Haddish was under the influence of marijuana at the time. She ultimately accepted a plea deal, admitting to reckless driving and receiving probation.
