Kathryn Dennis Released After DUI Conviction: A Personal and Legal Journey

Former “Southern Charm” star Kathryn Dennis has regained her freedom after serving 11 days of a 30-day sentence for a DUI conviction. The 34-year-old reality television personality was released from Berkeley County Hill-Finklea Detention Center in South Carolina on Tuesday, October 14, as confirmed by an officer from the sheriff’s office. Her incarceration stemmed from a three-car collision that occurred on May 20, 2024, for which she was sentenced on October 3. The incident has not only resulted in legal consequences for Dennis but has also become the subject of a civil lawsuit filed by one of the accident victims, adding another layer of complexity to her already challenging situation. As a mother of two young children, Dennis’s legal troubles have raised concerns about both her personal well-being and her parental responsibilities.

The accident that led to Dennis’s conviction took place on Highway 52 in Goose Creek, South Carolina, when she reportedly crashed her 2018 GMC pickup truck into a vehicle that was stopped in traffic, causing a chain reaction that involved a third car. Larry Patrick Griffin, the driver of one of the vehicles involved, filed a lawsuit against Dennis on August 14, 2025, claiming that he suffered “serious bodily injury, pain and suffering, and mental anguish” as a result of the collision. According to the legal documents, Griffin has accused Dennis of being “under the influence and sway of alcohol and/or controlled substances” at the time of the crash, asserting that she made a “conscious decision to drive a motor vehicle on a public roadway while under the influence and intoxication of alcoholic beverages.” Griffin is seeking unspecified damages, and Dennis has yet to respond to these allegations. The lawsuit further complicates Dennis’s situation as she now faces not only criminal penalties but also potential civil liability for her actions.

The circumstances of Dennis’s arrest, as detailed in police reports, paint a concerning picture of the events that transpired on that May evening. When law enforcement officers arrived at the accident scene, they observed that Dennis displayed “glossy eyes and an odor of alcohol coming from her person,” signs commonly associated with intoxication. Adding to the suspicious circumstances, officers discovered an unopened mini bottle of Fireball whisky on the floorboard of her truck. While Dennis initially denied consuming any alcohol or medication before driving, she later allegedly changed her story during questioning, admitting to law enforcement that she had consumed alcoholic beverages “way earlier” that day. These inconsistencies in her account, combined with the physical evidence and observable signs of potential impairment, likely contributed to her arrest and subsequent conviction, highlighting the serious nature of the incident and the potential dangers of impaired driving.

Bodycam footage of Dennis’s arrest, which was later shared by TMZ, captured her emotional reaction to being taken into custody. In the video, Dennis can be heard expressing frustration and concern about the impact of her arrest on her family, particularly her children. “Y’all are ruining my life,” she told officers. “And my kids’ [lives]. Thanks for nothing.” She also disputed the thoroughness of the officers’ assessment of her sobriety, claiming, “You didn’t even do a field sobriety test to know if you’re legit or not. No, you sure didn’t. You didn’t do a blood alcohol test. Maybe I don’t have the best balance in the whole wide world, but you sure didn’t confirm what you were doing.” These statements reflect the heightened emotions of the moment and Dennis’s apparent concern about the potential repercussions of her arrest, especially as they might affect her role as a mother to her two young children.

During her interaction with police, Dennis made reference to her ex-partner, Thomas Ravenel, with whom she shares two children: 11-year-old daughter Kensington and 9-year-old son St. Julien Rembert. “I’m not stupid, I already know what’s happening,” Dennis told police. “Stupid as s, like, my ex is a felon. I know how this works. This is some bulls.” This comment suggests a level of familiarity with legal proceedings, possibly due to her past experiences with Ravenel, who has had his own legal troubles. Dennis continued, expressing concern primarily for her children: “I don’t give a f*** about me, but my kids? I don’t deserve to be here at all. Sorry you think I do.” These statements underscore the complex personal dynamics at play in Dennis’s life, particularly regarding co-parenting with Ravenel and her evident anxiety about how her legal troubles might affect their children’s well-being and potentially her custody arrangements.

Kathryn Dennis’s recent legal troubles mark another challenging chapter in her life following her departure from “Southern Charm,” the reality television series that brought her into the public eye. Dennis appeared on the Bravo show for eight seasons before leaving in January 2023, stepping away from the platform that had documented much of her adult life, including her relationship with Ravenel and her journey as a mother. Her current situation highlights the ongoing struggles that can follow reality television fame and the real-world consequences of personal choices. As Dennis moves forward from this incident, she faces not only the aftermath of her conviction and potential civil liability but also the challenge of rebuilding her life and maintaining her relationship with her children. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and the importance of making responsible decisions, particularly when those decisions can impact not only one’s own life but also the lives of loved ones, especially children who depend on their parents for stability and guidance.