The Bachelor’s Melissa Rycroft lands in hot water again just weeks after guilty plea

The Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft faces trouble again weeks after a guilty plea to a previous DWI charge. According to People Magazine, Melissa Rycroft Strickland was arrested on suspicion of driving in an intoxicated state. The reality show star was arrested in Southlake, Texas, on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

According to the Tarrant County jail records obtained by TMZ, Rycroft is charged with driving in an intoxicated state, collision causing damage under $200 to a vehicle, and driving with an invalid license with a prior conviction or suspension without financial responsibility.

People Magazine reported her release bond was set at $9000. The Bachelor alum was previously arrested in Southlake on September 23, 2025. Rycroft was charged with DWI. In August 2026, Rycroft pleaded guilty to the September 2025 charges. She was sentenced to 20 months' probation and fines up to $2000 and court costs.

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The Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft arrested, months after pleading guilty

The Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft was arrested on November 1, 2026, on suspicion of driving in an intoxicated state. She also faces charges involving an invalid license and causing alleged vehicle damage under $200. Earlier, in August 2026, Rycroft pleaded guilty to a previous DWI charge. The reality TV star was arrested in Southlake on September 23, 2025.

According to a press release for the September 2025 incident shared with People Magazine, the Southlake Police Department revealed that they responded to a single-vehicle crash around 12:05 PM local time. The cops found a Cadillac Escalade that had crashed into a tree. Witnesses shared that the car was being driven 'erratically'.

The driver was identified as Melissa Rycroft. She then underwent a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. The officers evaluated the scene. She was then arrested and taken to the Keller Jail. She spent eight hours behind bars. The press release also reported that no other vehicles were damaged. According to US Weekly, her blood alcohol concentration was reported to be 0.26 percent, which is three times the legal limit in Texas.

Following the DWI arrest in September 2025, Rycroft took to social media to share a brief message to a fan and thanked them for their support. She said that she is struggling but trying to move forward. She thanked her fans for the sweet words.

The Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft's plea deal terms

According to an exclusive report by US Weekly, Melissa Rycroft pleaded guilty to the above-mentioned charges. Rycroft was sentenced on August 6, 2026, and a judge signed off on her plea deal on August 10, 2026.

Rycroft agreed to 20 months' probation instead of 280 days in prison. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $2000. Rycroft also owes the state a trauma fine of $2,087. The judge ordered Rycroft to complete 36 hours of community service within 120 days.

According to the plea deal, Rycroft was also instructed to complete a DWI education program. She was also not allowed to drive without a camera-equipped ignition interlock device on her vehicle. Rycroft also agreed to submit to a substance abuse screening. She signed off on paying for urine samples for testing for controlled substances as requested by the court. She also agreed to commit no offense and abstain from illegal use and possession or sale of controlled substances.

According to the agreement, Rycroft can't consume or possess any alcoholic beverages. She was also instructed to complete counseling and treatment as recommended by the court. She was also ordered to check in with the Community Service and Corrections Department in Texas every month. The Bachelor alum was also instructed to allow the supervision officer to visit her home or any other location and provide proof of employment.

Rycroft had to inform the supervisor if her employment status changed or she planned to move. The plea deal also stated that Rycroft cannot refuse a field sobriety test.

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The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader appeared on The Bachelor Season 13. She accepted Jason Mesnick's proposal on the show but eventually parted ways. Rycroft appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2009 and 2012. She got married to Tye Strickland in 2009, with whom she shares three kids. The couple also starred in a reality series named Melissa & Tye.

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