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A police mugshot of Locklear was released

Former Dynasty actress Heather Locklear has been charged with driving under the influence of prescription medication.

The former Dynasty star showed signs of "obvious impairment" when she was arrested in September, said the California Highway Patrol.

The 47-year-old was pulled over in Santa Barbara following reports she was seen "driving erratically" when leaving a car park.

Ms Locklear is scheduled to answer the charges in court on 26 January, 2009.

'Civic duty'

The actress was picked up by police in the city of Montecito, about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles, when a patrol officer found her car parked on a highway and blocking a traffic lane.

After her arrest, officers took her to the police station, where she was tested for alcohol and drugs.

She was later released from custody.

In October photographer Jill Ishkanian, who informed the police of the actress's erratic driving, admitted she had made money taking pictures of the incident.

Her solicitor said it was Ms Ishkanian's "civic duty" to report the star.

Nicholas Tepper added his client was not "disqualified from reporting the story" because she called police

Earlier this year, Ms Locklear checked herself into a medical clinic to seek treatment for anxiety and depression.

She divorced Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in 2007, after 11 years of marriage.

They have a 10-year-old daughter together, Ava Elizabeth.

The actress first rose to fame as Sammy Jo Dean Carrington in the 1980s soap Dynasty.

She subsequently appeared on Melrose Place and the sitcom Spin City, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations.