Nicole Richie trial postponed until August

LOS ANGELES, July 11 (Reuters) Celebrity socialite Nicole Richie's trial on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol was postponed today to Aug. 16 so an expert defense witness can attend.

Lawyers for the co-star of ''The Simple Life'' television show won the delay at a hearing at Glendale Superior Court in suburban Los Angeles. Richie, 25, who could face a jail sentence ranging from four days to one year if convicted, was not required to be present.

Richie is the daughter of singer Lionel Richie and stars in ''The Simple Life'' with hotel heiress Paris Hilton, who spent three weeks behind bars last month for violating probation in a drunken driving case.

Police said they stopped Richie after she was seen driving the wrong way on a Los Angeles freeway.

Media interest in Richie's case has spiked after celebrity magazines reported she is 3 months pregnant and plans to marry her boyfriend, Joel Madden, vocalist for the band Good Charlotte.

Richie's publicist has declined comment.

REUTERS SBC PM2337