Kathryn Dennis is once again a free woman, after serving just 11 days of a 30-day sentence she was issued earlier this month.
Almost immediately after entering jail to begin serving her sentence that stemmed from her May 2024 DUI conviction, the former Southern Charm star reportedly filed a motion asking the judge to “reconsider” the sentence she was handed. According to Us Weekly, her motion worked, and Kathryn was released after just 11 days behind bars.
The outlet reports that Kathryn– who at the time, was three days into serving her sentence at the Berkeley County Hill-Finklea Detention Center in South Carolina– filed a motion October 6 through her attorney, asking that the judge reduce her sentence based on three separate claims.
In the filing obtained by the outlet, Kathryn argued that “the vast majority of [DUI]/open container cases are sentenced to pay a fine or minimal jail time,” and that it’s rare for a defendant to be “sentenced to the maximum,” as Kathryn was in this particular case.
Kathryn’s motion went on to reference two comments allegedly made by the judge in the courtroom; the first being that “[the judge] and her child could have been on the road at the same time and location” of the 2024 crash. The second comment that irked Kat was when the judge reportedly stated that Kathryn “could have hurt the judge and her child.”
Kathryn argued in the filing that the judge’s remarks were made “out of the passion of the moment rather than as a factual basis for the sentence.”
Kathryn also asked that her 30-day sentence be reconsidered due to the judge allegedly claiming that she “should have been charged with felony [DUI]”– a comment the mom of two argued was made by the judge “without having a factual basis to make such a statement.”
As you may remember, Kathryn’s May 2024 arrest– some of which was captured via (very) memorable dashcam footage– occurred after she was involved in a three-car crash. According to the police report, Kathryn’s car allegedly rear-ended the car in front of her at a stop light, which caused that car to hit the car in front of it. Officers at the scene stated in the police report that Kathryn smelled like alcohol and had “glossy eyes” at the time. They also claimed that several empty bottles of liquor were found in Kathryn’s vehicle during their search.
While Kathryn copped to consuming alcohol that day, she claimed to have done so “way earlier in the evening” before the crash.
As The Ashley reported earlier this month, Kathryn is also being sued by one of the drivers involved in the three-car pile-up last year. The man taking legal action against the former Bravo star claimed in court documents that Kathryn “failed to slow her vehicle” before hitting the vehicle in front of her, which then hit his vehicle, causing him “serious bodily injury.”
“As a result of said incident, which was solely due to the negligent and wanton, willful recklessness of [Kathryn] in that she made the conscious decision to drive a motor vehicle on a public roadway while under the influence and intoxication of alcoholic beverages, and/or other controlled substance(s), the Plaintiff suffered serious bodily injury, pain and suffering, and mental anguish, and will continue to do so in the future. Further, that the Plaintiff’s vehicle suffered property damage,” court documents obtained by The Ashley state.
The driver is demanding a jury trial, with the amount he’s asking to be compensated for to be determined at said trial. He is seeking property damage, actual damages, punitive damages and the cost of the legal filing, as well as any “other and further relief this Court deems just and proper.”
(In September, Kathryn’s auto insurance, State Farm, was added to the case. The company is denying the driver’s allegations and “demanding strict proof thereof.” State Farm’s legal team also argues that the driver’s alleged injuries were the result of illnesses or injuries he had prior to the accident involving Kathryn.)
While Kathryn has yet to respond to the lawsuit, it appears that she (and her attorney) and the driver are attempting to do Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve the matter outside of court– if possible– which has been scheduled for March 2026.
Kat has yet to speak publicly since being released early from jail.
RELATED STORY: EXCLUSIVE! Former ‘Southern Charm’ Star Kathryn Dennis Being Sued by Driver Involved in Her 2024 DUI Crash
(Photos: Bravo; Instagram)
One Response
Gee..that whole 11 days really taught her a lesson in drinking and driving.🙄