Mischa Barton charged with drunk driving

Actress Mischa Barton, star of the film "Assassination of a High School President" directed by Brett Simon, poses as she arrives at the film's premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 23, 2008. [Agencies]

Actress Mischa Barton was charged on Tuesday with drunken driving, marijuana possession and driving without a license, Los Angeles prosecutors said.

Barton, 22, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper on the hit television show "The O.C.," was stopped by police while driving in West Hollywood at around 3 a.m on Dec 27.

Police said at the time her car was straddling two lanes of traffic and she failed to signal when making a turn.

Barton spent about seven hours in jail before being released on $10,000 bail. Prosecutors said she would make a formal court appearance on Thursday on the misdemeanor charges.

Barton's arrest followed those of celebrities Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, all of whom were charged with driving offenses in 2007.