Heather Locklear has been formally charged with driving under the influence of drugs in connection with her September arrest, the Santa Barbara, Calif., District Attorney’s Office said Monday.

The misdemeanor charge filed by the DA’s office specifies that the drugs in question were “prescription medications.” If convicted, the actress, 47, faces penalties ranging from a fine to up to six months in county jail.

An arraignment was set for Jan. 26 in Santa Barbara Superior Court.

“We believe that the prescriptions she was taking could have impaired her ability to drive a motor vehicle safely,” says Carter.

Locklear was originally booked on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and being under the influence of a controlled substance. The latter charge was not filed because, says Carter, “There were no illegal substances in her system.”

In addition, felony charges for Locklear “were not a possibility,” because DUI cases with no injuries are always misdemeanors, he said.

A Paparazzo Tip

The former Melrose Place star was arrested Sept. 27 in Montecito after an eyewitness - who turned out to be a paparazzo - called 911, saying Locklear was “driving erratically.”

In July, Locklear completed four weeks of treatment for anxiety and depression.

Locklear’s attorney and publicist both declined comment.

Source:www.People.com

Heather Locklear was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Saturday evening in Santa Barbara County, Calif.

“Around 4:30 p.m., a female witness saw Heather Locklear driving erratically while leaving a parking lot in Montecito,” California Highway Patrol spokesman Tom Marshall tells PEOPLE. “The witness said Locklear was revving her engine loudly, and backed over a pair of sunglasses several times.”

Soon after, the witness - who apparently didn’t recognize the actress - spotted Locklear, 47, stopped on a nearby highway, exiting her vehicle.

“The witness called 911 because she was concerned for Locklear’s safety,” Marshall said. “When a CHP officer arrived, Locklear was found seated inside her vehicle, which was partially blocking the roadway.”

“Alcohol was ruled out as a factor, but based on the officer’s observations, we believe Locklear was under the influence of prescription medication,” Marshall added.

Locklear was arrested on suspicion of DUI and being under the influence of a controlled substance. She booked at a local jail around 7 p.m., and released hours later.

The actress’s lawyer, Blair Berk, wasn’t immediately available for comment. Locklear’s publicist had no comment.

Just two months ago, Locklear left an Arizona treatment facility after battling anxiety and depression.

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After successfully completing four weeks of treatment for anxiety and depression, Heather Locklear is back home.

“Heather’s feeling really great,” says a close friend. “And she looks beautiful, just radiant.”

While the actress’s recovery is “a work in progress,” Locklear seems rejuvenated by her month away, says the friend. “She told a really funny story and she laughed from her core,” says the pal, who has seen Locklear since she returned home last weekend. “That’s when I knew she was going to be fine. I think that’s the best part of all - it’s so nice to hear her laugh.”

Since she checked herself in on June 19, Locklear has enjoyed the support of her ex, Bon Jovi rocker Richie Sambora. Their daughter Ava, 10, spent the last few weeks with Sambora but is now with her mom. Locklear is most excited, says the source, to be “back home with Ava.”

For more on Heather Locklear’s return from treatment, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

Three weeks after she headed to Arizona to receive treatment for anxiety and depression, Heather Locklear is flourishing - but missing her 10-year-old daughter, Ava.

“The hardest part of all of this is being apart from Ava,” says one Locklear friend. “But she knows she’ll be better than ever, and that they’ll both really benefit from this. She’s feeling better, but it’s tough.”

Locklear, 46, checked herself in to the facility June 19 for an in-depth evaluation of the medication she’d been taking for anxiety and depression.

In addition to seeing doctors regularly, Locklear has been riding horses, getting therapeutic spa treatments and taking quiet meals alone. She’s also been buoyed by visits from Wagner, who most recently came to see her July 4.

Another bright spot for the actress? A recent week-long break in Bon Jovi’s touring schedule meant Richie Sambora got to hang with their daughter, who has been “with family and continuing on with her summer plans,” says the source.

“Heather’s really happy that Ava got to spend time with her dad,” says her pal, adding that Locklear and her rocker ex, 48, “are speaking all the time.”

Despite their high-profile split, Sambora (whose East Coast dates with Bon Jovi start Wednesday in Boston before moving to New York on July 14) has been vocal about his support for his ex.

Says the source: “They really have come through %26#91;the breakup - and are%26#93; on the other side.”

They’re no longer together, but Heather Locklear can still count on her ex-husband Richie Sambora.

As Locklear, 46, seeks treatment for depression and anxiety at an Arizona facility, the Melrose Place star has Sambora firmly in her corner, says a friend of the couple, who have a 10-year-old daughter, Ava.

“Without a doubt, he’s there for his daughter and her mother,” a friend of the Bon Jovi guitarist tells PEOPLE. “They may be divorced, but they are raising a little girl they both love very much.”

Although he’s on the road, “I’m sure he’s available if Heather should need something and certainly for Ava,” says the pal.

For the complete story on Locklear’s battle with depression and anxiety, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

The man who called 911 about an incident at Heather Locklear’s house claimed to be a doctor worried about her safety, according to a tape released by authorities.

“I have a patient and I have a feeling she’s suicidal. And I would want someone to go %26#91;check on her%26#93;,” says the caller, who spoke to a dispatcher Saturday evening.

The recording, released Wednesday by the Ventura County, Calif., Fire Department, apparently had the caller’s name redacted before it was released to the public.

Hear the full call below:

Explained a source close to Locklear (whose boyfriend Jack Wagner was with her when authorities arrived): “She was talking to a friend. She was bummed about something, and the person overreacted. Heather’s doing great. %26#91;Her 10-year-old daughter%26#93; Ava’s good, Jack’s good, she’s working - she seems really happy.”

Ross Bonfiglio, spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told PEOPLE: “Once on the scene, our deputies took no further action because no one at the residence was in distress or needed medical or mental-health emergency assistance.”

Bonfiglio added: “We don’t believe the caller was lying or fabricating the information provided at the time.”

It’s been a year since Jack Wagner and Heather Locklear made their public debut as a couple, but don’t expect wedding bells in their future anytime soon.

“I brought it up to her the other day,” Wagner, 48, told PEOPLE Tuesday at his 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the Leukemia %26 Lymphoma Society. “She was like, ‘I didn’t catch the name,’ and I was like ‘It’s Jack.’ %26#91;She said,%26#93; ‘Oh right, right, right, I’m working right now, don’t bother me.’ ”

The former Melrose Place costars heated up the tournament last year, but Locklear, 46, had to sit out this round due to work commitments: She’s in Hawaii shooting the Lifetime movie Flirting with Forty. And how is her beau tackling the difficulties of a long-distance romance while Locklear is out of town?

Still, her presence was missed at the benefit. “It’s just sad that she’s not here this year,” said Wagner. But, he added, “I’m just happy that she’s happy.”

Heather Locklear is fine, says the actress’s rep, despite reports that she needed medical assistance Saturday.

“%26#91;I%26#93; spoke with Heather and she is fine. She never requested medical assistance and did not place a 911 call. Nor did anyone from her house call 911 or place a call requesting medical assistance,” her rep said in a statement Sunday night.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call for a suicidal subject at the home of Locklear, 46, on Saturday night, officials said. However, the call didn’t originate at her residence and no problem was found when paramedics arrived.

Sheriff’s deputies left without taking a report because no action was committed, Bonfiglio said.

Heather Locklear showed that she’s still young at heart this week - by having an all-girls sleepover in the Star Suite at the Ivy Hotel in San Diego Wednesday night.

Locklear, 46, made a last-minute reservation after looking at the hotel’s Star Suite, which features king size bunk beds. The actress and several girlfriends wore the hotel’s pajamas to sleepover - and left the hotel wearing them Thursday morning.
- Jennifer Garcia