Judge: Nicole Richie Progressing Nicely

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Judge: Nicole Richie Progressing Nicely

Wed., Sep. 10, 2008 4:56 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Fame Pictures

Apparently learning from her mistakes, Nicole Richie has been opting for the high road.

A judge determined Wednesday that the former Simple Life star has been taking care of herself and is otherwise "in compliance" with the terms of her probation stemming from her 2006 DUI bust, a Los Angeles Superior Court clerk told E! News.

Richie—who since being caught driving the wrong way on an L.A. freeway after taking Vicodin and smoking pot has become a mom, started a charitable foundation and more or less stopped making a mockery of herself—was placed on three years' probation in July 2007.

She also served a cozy 82 minutes of a four-day jail sentence last summer (while pregnant) and, although she was only required to clock in for three weeks, signed up for an 18-month alcohol-education program after pleading guilty to driving under the influence.

Shortly after she served her time, however, the buzz on Richie became all baby, all the time.

She and Joel Madden welcomed daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden on Jan. 11 and have been busy overseeing the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation, set up to help expectant and new moms and their young families access proper care.

Of course, turning over a new leaf doesn't cancel out a rap sheet. A follow-up progress report hearing has been set for Feb. 20, 2009. Like today, Richie, who was spotted last night at Marc Jacobs' spring show in New York, will not be required to appear in court.

—Additional reporting by Matt Donnelly