Thursday, 3 July 2008

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Tatum O' Neal pleads guilty, may have charges dropped

The actress may have charges dropped against her following an alleged drug incident

The actress was involved in a alleged drug incident

Tatum O'Neal has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with her June 1 arrest , according to the AP, and will have the charges dropped if she complies with the court's orders.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Elisa Koenderman ordered O'Neal, 44, to spend two half-day sessions in a drug treatment program and pay a $95 fee. If O'Neal meets those conditions before her next court appearance on Sept. 4, the case will be dismissed. A source close to O'Neal tells PEOPLE the actress is relieved: "She's doing really well. She's glad it's over."

O'Neal was arrested on June 1 for allegedly buying cocaine near her home. "I was trying to relapse," O'Neal, who has struggled with drugs and alcohol for decades, told PEOPLE recently of the incident. "I made a giant, horrible mistake that I regret and feel really ashamed and embarrassed about. I take full responsibility."

The arrest caused a media storm, but O'Neal continued to step out in public, even attending a gala hosted by the New York City Ballet on June 9.

The daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal and the ex-wife of John McEnroe, O'Neal became the youngest Oscar winner in history in 1974, when she took home the statue for her role in Paper Moon.