Nicole Bobek - Legal Problems

Legal Problems

In November 1994, Bobek was charged with first degree home invasion after using an access code to enter a friend's garage and home in Michigan. She allegedly took cash from a purse, but was caught when the home owner arrived, at which point she returned the money. She claimed to have been given permission by another member of the household to enter the house and retrieve the cash.

At that time, Bobek was 17 years old, legally an adult under Michigan criminal law, but eligible for probation with a record of the offense sealed from the public record under a special law for youthful first offenders. She pled guilty under that law, the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, and in January 1995 was given two years' probation and a choice between 50 hours of community service and 30 days in jail. Information regarding her case soon spread widely through skating circles, and was leaked to the news media. Under the Youthful Trainee Act, cases are to remain confidential; so in February 1995, she filed for dismissal of her case. Though journalists and legal scholars have argued that Michigan law allows journalists to release information about juvenile criminals if there is "compelling public interest," which was arguable due to her status as a world class figure skater, Bobek's motion for probation discharge was granted by the court.

In late 2006, Nicole Bobek's mother made and dropped a petition to have her sent to rehab, worrying her daughter would break off contact. On July 6, 2009, Bobek was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and alleged to be a member of a drug ring. On June 18, 2010 she pled guilty, and on August 16 was sentenced to five years' probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $2,500 fine.