Rolling Stones Arrest History: 11 Brushes with the Law

As this Rolling Stones arrest history attests, it’s hard to be the most popular, rebellious band in the world for five decades without finding yourself behind bars once or twice.
Here are the scandalous, sometimes amusing and occasionally troubling tales behind the 11 brushes with the law the Stones (and their families) have encountered over the years. Startlingly, none of them seems to involve whoever designed the day-glo suits the group wore on the cover of its 1986 album ‘Dirty Work.’

February 12, 1967

Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

The Rolling Stones' first brush with the law came when police were tipped off about drug use during a party at guitarist Keith Richards' home. Richards and singer Mick Jagger were arrested, and four months later received very harsh sentences: three months for Jagger and a year for Richards. Two months later on appeal, the sentences were dismissed.

May 10, 1967

Brian Jones

Shortly after Jagger and Richards' arrests (and subsequent probations), Stones guitarist Brian Jones was arrested for possession of marijuana and allowing his friends to enjoy the herby substance in his apartment. Like his bandmates, he was also given just a warning, but it appears he didn't listen as closely ...

May 21, 1968

Brian Jones

Almost exactly a year later, Jones was again arrested for marijuana possession, and this time faced a long jail term. A psychiatrist made an attempt to keep Jones out of confinement due to mental health issues, and a judge eventually did have pity on him, letting the guitarist off with another stern warning. However, Jones was now unable to obtain a visa to tour overseas, which contributed to his departure from the group.

May 24, 1968

Mick Jagger & Marianne Faithfull

You know what they say: The couple that plays together gets arrested together. And as their May 24 1968, bust for marijuana possession (what else?) demonstrates, Jagger and girlfriend Marianne Faithfull were certainly no exception to the rule.
Interestingly, this arrest happened on the same day that the Rolling Stones released 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' the single that launched a big comeback after their much-maligned 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' album. The track hit No. 3 on the chart, so maybe the arrest was some kind of lucky charm.

February 16, 1972

Shirley Watts (Wife of Charlie Watts)

Drummer Charlie Watts has kept on the right side of the law throughout his Stones career. But 40 years ago his wife Shirley was arrested after causing quite an incident at Nice International Airport in France. Specifically, she was booked after swearing at and hitting customs officials, an act most people only fantasize about.

July 18, 1972

Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

In order to keep a Rolling Stones concert scheduled for that evening in his city from being canceled, the mayor of Boston had Richards and Jagger released into his personal custody after the duo was arrested for scuffling with a photographer in nearby Rhode Island. "The Stones have been busted, but I have sprung them!” Mayor White told an audience at Boston Garden. Bet that got him a few votes, huh?

June 26, 1973

Keith Richards

As a result of this scandalous bust, Richards was brought up on charges that included possession of various drugs and paraphernalia. His impressive stash reportedly consisted of grass, cannabis resin, Chinese heroin, mandrax tablets, burnt spoons, syringes and pipes.
Thanks to court records that were unsealed in 2011, the world found out he was also in possession of a loaded handgun, rifle and 110 rounds of ammunition. Richards claimed he was set up by police and that the handguns belonged to his tenant, and ultimately he was once again able to avoid further troubles.

July 5, 1975

Ron Wood & Keith Richards

The fact that Richards and Ron Wood and Keith Richards were arrested in Fordyce, Ark., is apparently legendary within the town.
After leaving lunch, Richards, who was driving an Impala, was pulled over for reckless driving. Officers thought they smelled marijuana on the pair and searched the car. Instead of finding pot, cops found less than two grams of cocaine in a briefcase supposedly belonging to passenger Fred Sessler. Richards passed the sobriety test, but was cited for carrying a hunting knife, which was considered an illegal weapon.

February 27, 1977

Keith Richards

It's the arrest that could have ended the Rolling Stones. Richards was detained in Canada In February 1977 after police found heroin in his hotel room. He was charged with "possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking," which, in Canada, can come with a prison sentence of seven years to life. His passport was confiscated and he was held in the country until April of the same year, when he was allowed to re-enter the United States on a medical visa for treatment for heroin addiction. Luckily for Richards, the charges were later dropped to the much simpler charge of possession. He pleaded guilty and was granted a suspended sentence.

December 2, 1990

Ron Wood

Thankfully, very few of the stories on this list involve any form of serious violence. However, on Dec. 2, 1990, Wood was arrested after an arguement with his girlfriend of the time. He was "cautioned" for common assault by police following the incident.

March 1, 2011

Theodora Richards (Daughter of Keith)

Looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh? In 2011, Richards' daughter Theodora was arrested in New York City and charged with making graffiti, possession of a graffiti instrument and possession of a controlled substance. Sources said the model had eight pills on her when she was arrested, and that she told cops she bought them from someone on the street. (Exactly what is the elder Richards allowed to do in terms of lectures here? Nothing, right?)