Brad Renfro, who’s been serving time in Broward County Jail on a probation violation, could walk out of jail in as little as 60 days if he successfully completes a drug and alcohol program, a judge ruled Thursday.
  Renfro, 19, has been in jail more than a month after being pulled over Jan. 14 near his home in Knoxville, Tenn., and charged with driving without a license and public intoxication. His arrest was a violation of the two-year probation he received for trying to steal a 45-foot yacht near Fort Lauderdale Beach in August 2000.

   Broward Circuit Judge Ronald J. Rothschild on Thursday agreed that if Renfro successfully completes a three-month in-jail drug and alcohol treatment program, he’ll emerge with a clean record. Rothschild told Renfro, who appears in Martin Scorcese’s new movie “Gangs of New York,” that he has a bright future ahead of him and warned it would be “a tragedy to have that future marred” by alcohol and drugs.
   If Renfro fails to complete the rehab program, he will spend up to nine months in Broward County Jail with credit for time served, the judge ruled.
   Renfro has already been in the program for one month, according to his lawyer, Bart Heffernan of Fort Lauderdale. Heffernan said Renfro was doing well and that he was planning on working this summer.
  “It’s really a great outcome,” Heffernan said outside the courtroom. The actor could have faced up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Christy McKerney

Actor Ordered to Complete Alcohol Rehabilitation

   Brad Renfro, who tried to steal a yacht in August 2000, must complete an alcohol rehabilitation program for violating his probation.

  The star of the 1994 film "The Client" was ordered on Thursday to complete a 90-day alcohol rehabilitation program at the Broward County Jail and placed on nine months probation.

Renfro was arrested in May 2001 in Knoxville, Tenn., his hometown, and charged with underage drinking.

  He had been sentenced in January 2001 to two years' probation and ordered to pay more than $4,000 for repairs to the 45-foot yacht he and a companion tried to steal in Fort Lauderdale.

  Renfro had been in Fort Lauderdale to film "Bully," an adaptation of Jim Schutze's 1998 book.

  "Alcohol is a very nasty thing," said Broward Circuit Judge Ronald J. Rothschild. "I have recently had the opportunity to review some of your work and it would be a tragedy to see the bright future you have marred by alcohol."

  Renfro, 19, dressed in a blue jumpsuit, thanked the judge repeatedly. He started the alcohol rehabilitation program on Feb. 14.

  Under the sentence, he will serve nine months at the county jail if he fails to complete the program.

  "I'm very happy with the outcome," Renfro said.

Renfro's lawyer Bart Heffernan and prosecutor Sharon Mullane declined comment.