Karen Huger's fate has been decided.
Over two months after The Real Housewives of Potomac star was found guilty on nearly all counts related to her March 2024 DUI arrest, the Bravolebrity was officially sentenced by a Montgomery County, Maryland judge to two years in prison with one year suspended during a Feb. 26 court appearance, according to Washington, D.C.'s local Fox 5 News.
The decision means Karen will be behind bars for 12 months, after which she won't be allowed to drive a vehicle for another year, according to a Fox 5 reporter who was in the courtroom at the time of the sentencing. She will also face five years of probation.
Prosecutors, citing Karen's three previous DUIs, originally asked the judge for two years in prison with six months suspended for the reality star's latest arrest.
E! News has reached out to Karen's attorney and rep for comment but has not heard back.
Karen crashed her car last March near Bethesda, Maryland after she crossed a median and struck street signs. The 61-year-old was charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol; negligent driving of a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life and person; and reckless driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for safety of persons and property and several other related charges, according to Maryland Judiciary records obtained by E! News.
One day after the arrest, Karen spoke out to share insight into her mental state before the incident and how she was coping afterwards.
"Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes during this very frightening experience," she said in a statement to TMZ. "I am still in shock from last night's incident, but grateful to be alive today. With the passing of my beloved mother, grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mother's Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami."
"I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me," Huger continued. "I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider and then a tree. I'm hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive! I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away."
And despite being found guilty on all counts except reckless driving in December, Huger's legal team vowed to continue to fight the court's decision.
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case," her attorney A. Scott Bolden shared in a statement with People in December. “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
In light of her ongoing legal troubles, Karen recently sought treatment at a rehabilitation facility and chose to skip filming the reality series' season nine reunion in favor of getting help for personal issues.
"Karen made the important decision to enter a private recovery program, so was unable to attend the reunion taping today," Karen's manager Ryan Tresdale told Bravo's Daily Dish last month. "She was fully supported in this choice. We stand behind Karen as she embarks on this meaningful journey and are proud of her for taking such a significant step forward in her personal growth."
