Shannon Storms Beador, star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has found herself in the spotlight once again after being pulled over by police while on probation for a DUI incident that occurred in September 2023.
According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Beador, 61, was stopped by police in Orange County, California, on May 21.
The Citation and DUI Probation
Beador was cited for “driving while operating a handheld wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device.” Although she was issued a citation, she was released on the spot and given until July 11 to pay a fine of $20 for the first offense, with subsequent offenses carrying a $50 penalty.
This incident comes during Beador’s three-year probation for her involvement in a DUI hit-and-run in September 2023. She is required to complete her probation, which is set to end on November 1, 2026, as part of the court’s ruling.
Details of the September 2023 DUI Incident
The September 2023 DUI arrest came after Beador was involved in a hit-and-run incident in Newport Beach, California. Authorities confirmed that Beador had collided with a vehicle, causing property damage, and then fled the scene.
When police later found her walking her dog, they learned that her blood alcohol level was 0.24, which is three times the legal limit. She was arrested for DUI and hit-and-run, both misdemeanors, and was released on a citation.
Court-Ordered Penalties and Beador’s Remorse
Along with her probation, Beador was ordered to pay $390 in fines, complete 40 hours of community service, and enroll in a 9-month alcohol program. In a statement following her arrest, Beador’s lawyer, Michael L. Fell, said that she was “extremely apologetic and remorseful” for her actions.
Reflecting on the incident in an interview with PEOPLE in July 2024, Beador expressed her regret, saying, “I made a very stupid choice. I could have killed someone. And part of my therapy has been trying to move past that guilt and shame. You say to yourself, ‘I could have killed someone… but I didn’t.’
So I don’t want it to appear that I’m taking any of this lightly, because there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it. But I didn’t hurt someone, and I’m grateful for that.”
Upcoming Season of The Real Housewives of Orange County
Despite her legal challenges, Beador is back in the public eye as The Real Housewives of Orange County season 19 is set to premiere on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. Fans can expect to see more of Beador’s journey as she navigates life after the DUI incident, probation, and her continued role on the reality show.
Shannon Storms Beador’s recent run-in with the law comes amidst a turbulent year, following her DUI arrest in 2023. While facing probation and community service, Beador has expressed remorse and is working through the emotional aftermath of the incident.
As her reality TV career continues, she remains in the public eye, grappling with the consequences of her actions while moving forward.
