10 Celebrities Who Got Off Easy for Serious Crimes

10 Celebrities Who Got Off Easy for Serious Crimes

Welcome to MsMojo, and today well be looking at the most egregious cases where high-profile individuals were convicted or pleaded guilty to serious crimes, yet walked away with little more than a slap on the wrist.

Todd & Julie Chrisley

The Chrisleys shot to fame on USA Networks Chrisley Knows Best, which showcased their lavish lifestyle as real estate moguls. But that glamorous image unraveled in 2019 when Todd and Julie were indicted for tax evasion and bank fraud. Prosecutors alleged they defrauded banks out of $36 million in loans, while also dodging about $500,000 in back taxes. Consequently, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Julie to seven. After an appeals court upheld their convictions, the tides turned in their favor with Donald Trumps re-election. Their lawyers rebranded them as prominent conservatives targeted in a political witch hunt, despite their original indictment occurring during Trumps first term. Nevertheless, the strategy worked. In May 2025, Trump granted them a full presidential pardon.

Felicity Huffman

In 2019, a nationwide college admissions scandal erupted which saw dozens of parents being arrested for trying to bribe their childrens way into elite American universities. One of those parents was Felicity Huffman. Best known for her role in Desperate Housewives, Huffman became desperate indeed when she reportedly paid $15,000 for someone to take the SAT on her daughters behalf. She was arrested and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud. Despite the severity of the charges, Huffmans sentence was relatively light: a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and just 10 days served out of a 14-day jail term. By comparison, many other parents who pleaded guilty received longer prison sentences and significantly higher fines.

Victor Salva

Youve probably seen 2001s Jeepers Creepers, but did you know its writer-director, Victor Salva, is a convicted sex offender? Back in 1988, Salva was found guilty of sexual misconduct with child actor Nathan Forrest Winters, the star of his feature-length directorial debut Clownhouse. Disturbingly, at least one of the assaults was videotaped by Salva himself. For a crime this serious, most people would be thrown behind bars for many years. But Salva was sentenced to three years in prison, of which he only served 15 months. Since then, he has continued to work in the film industry, supported by heavyweights like Francis Ford Coppola, who reportedly told him that prison would enhance his artistic vision. Judging by Jeepers Creepers 2, we strongly disagree.

Rick James

Assault with a deadly weapon, torture, false imprisonment, kidnapping these were just some of the serious charges brought against 80s funk superstar Rick James. In 1991, James and his girlfriend were arrested for holding a woman captive for up to six days and coercing her into sexual acts. If convicted on all counts, James faced a potential life sentence. But it got even worse. While out on bail, the couple struck again, kidnapping another woman and subjecting her to a 20-hour ordeal. Surely, this was a one-way ticket to prison for a long, long time, right? Well James was found guilty on most counts, but he was sentenced to just five years in prison and walked free after serving a little over two.

Rebecca Gayheart

After nearly a decade as a professional actress, Rebecca Gayhearts career was gaining momentum when she was involved in a tragic car accident in 2001. While driving on a street in Los Angeles, Gayheart struck Jorge Cruz Jr., who had run into the street chasing a soccer ball. The boy sustained severe injuries and died the following day. Although it was an unfortunate accident, it still resulted in the loss of a life, which carried serious legal consequences. Gayheart ultimately pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter. She received a sentence of three years probation, 750 hours of community service and a one-year license suspension, but served no jail time. In addition, she covered Cruzs funeral expenses and settled a wrongful death lawsuit with his family.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

As one of boxings most celebrated champions, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has made a fortune using his fists. But he is seemingly unable to differentiate between his opponents and the women in his life. Since 2002, Mayweather has racked up multiple convictions for domestic violence and battery and surprisingly, the legal system has repeatedly bent to accommodate him. In 2010, it was reported that Mayweather physically assaulted his former girlfriend, leaving her with bruises and a concussion. For this, he received a mere 90-day jail sentence, but the court delayed his reporting date so he wouldnt miss a boxing match. In the end, he served only two months. Apparently, the jail food and water didnt meet Mayweathers nutritional standards, so a judge just let him go.

Don King

This controversial boxing promoter was involved in not one, but two separate killings, both of which he managed to evade serious consequences for. The first occurred in 1954, when King fatally shot a man attempting to rob one of his gambling houses. The incident was ruled a justifiable homicide, so he was spared jail time. Then, in 1966, King beat an employee to death over a $600 debt. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to one to 20 years imprisonment. However, he ended up serving just under four years after his conviction was reduced to manslaughter. Remarkably, in 1983, King received a full pardon from Ohio Governor Jim Rhodes, thanks in part to support letters from prominent figures like Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King.

Ted Kennedy

Apparently, being a member of one of Americas most prominent families means that a deadly car crash can magically turn into a minor inconvenience. In July 1969, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy left a party with Mary Jo Kopechne, a former campaign aide, when his car veered off a bridge and into a pond. Kennedy managed to swim to safety, but claimed he was unable to rescue Kopechne. Instead of calling for help, he returned home and had a good nights rest. Backed by his influential family, Kennedy landed a dream legal team that helped him plead guilty to merely leaving the scene of an accident causing bodily injury. He received a two-month suspended jail sentence and carried on as a senator until his death in 2009.

Vince Neil

Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil played a major role in derailing the rising career of Finnish hard rock band Hanoi Rocks. In 1984, while the band was on its first U.S. tour, Neil invited them to his home, where they spent hours partying. When the alcohol ran out, Neil and Hanoi Rocks drummer, Nicholas Razzle Dingley, drove to a liquor store to buy more. However, on the way back, a drunk Neil lost control and crashed into another vehicle, killing Dingley. The occupants of the other car suffered lasting brain damage, while Neil escaped unhurt. He was charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter, receiving a 30-day jail sentence and five years probation. Ultimately, he served just 15 days before being released for good behavior.

Matthew Broderick

Just one year after his breakout role in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Matthew Broderick became embroiled in a tragic controversy far away from Hollywood. While vacationing in Ireland with his co-star and girlfriend Jennifer Grey, Broderick mistakenly drove into the wrong lane and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. The crash instantly killed the passengers in the other car, mother and daughter Margaret Doherty and Anna Gallagher. Broderick initially faced the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving, which carried a potential five-year prison sentence. But surprisingly, he was convicted of the lesser offense of careless driving and fined just $175 a decision the victims family condemned as a travesty of justice.

What do you make of these celebrity cases? Is justice really blind or is she just a little starstruck? Share your thoughts in the comments below.