Griffin O'Neal Sentenced to Prison Time for DUI Crash

Son of Ryan O'Neal pleaded guilty in November but missed his initial sentencing hearing

By Natalie Finn Feb 03, 2012 11:45 PMTags
Griffin O’NealKevin Winter/Getty Images

Griffin O'Neal had to face the music eventually.

The eldest son of Ryan O'Neal was sentenced to 16 months in prison today for a DUI crash last summer that left the other driver injured.

After pleading guilty to two felony counts of driving under influence of drugs and possession of a firearm by a felon (there was a gun in the car) in November, he missed his initial sentencing hearing last month.

How did he escape punishment for that one?

MORE: Redmond O'Neal Sent Back to Rehab After "Raw, Honest Chat" With the Judge

Griffin's lawyer explained that his troubled client was in rehab after drinking alcohol for the first time in five years and was therefore unable to make his court date.

But, unlike half-brother Redmond, who's been allowed to stay in a locked-down rehab facility while facing various drug charges over the last couple of years, Griffin is headed to prison.

He faced as much as four years behind bars for the two felonies.

Griffin's checkered past includes arrests for allegedly terrorizing an ex-girlfriend back in 1992, DUI's in 1989 and 2007; and, just last month, alleged domestic violence. In 1987, he was placed on 18 months' probation following a boating accident that injured him and killed Francis Ford Coppola's son Gian Carlo.