Nicole Richie's and her lawyer plan to fight the DUI charges brought against the Simple Life star.

Richie was arrested last December after being caught driving down the wrong side of an LA freeway.

Police suspected that Richie had taken Vicodin and had been smoking pot prior to driving and she supposedly confessed to the accusations.

Richie already has previous DUI charges and if she is convicted this time she�ll join best pal Paris Hilton behind bars for at least five days.

That�s the good news. If found guilty she could ultimately face a year in the slammer.

Who�s laughing now Nicole?