Bam Margera: Released from prison to addiction clinic

He’s out: “Jackass” star Bam Margera (44) was released from the Chester County Prison in the US state of Pennsylvania on Wednesday. From there, he went straight to an addiction clinic to get treatment for his drug and alcohol addiction. The question arises: has the MTV star finally understood how bad his situation is?

From prison to clinic

Margera was arrested on September 16 while driving while drunk because he was violating probation conditions from a previous case. An arrest warrant was issued for his arrest. On Monday, the MTV star appeared in handcuffs before Judge Patrick Carmody for a hearing. The judge ordered his release from prison on one condition: Margera must immediately begin treatment. Margera’s lawyer Michael T. van der Veen (61) announced that his client will be in a facility run by Recovery Centers of America. The organization runs several addiction treatment clinics on the US east coast. “The duration of treatment will be 28 days,” said his lawyer, “unless Recovery Centers of America considers a shorter period of time to be appropriate.”

“A good guy who has an addiction”

His lawyer was pleased with Margera’s release and spoke of a “good day in court for Mr. Margera.” His client was “interested in getting healthy” and “putting this case behind him.” Margera himself thanked the judge: “I just want to thank him for this whole situation. It’s allowing me to get my life in order.” Margera, who comes from West Chester in Pennsylvania, thanked his wife, fitness model Dannii Marie, whom he married in May in New Mexico, in particular. She helps him stay sober.

“Had to reach a low point”

Margera was self-critical about his life so far: “The path I was on with alcohol and drugs, I had to hit rock bottom to change things.” Margera’s second attorney, William J. Brennan, said in a press conference after the hearing that the Jackass graduate is a “good guy who has an addiction.” Everyone, from the defense to the prosecution to the probation service and the judge, is “interested in Bam getting what he needs, which is not punishment, but treatment.”

Crash after “Jackass” hype

Margera’s popularity took off in the early 2000s thanks to his participation in the MTV format “Jackass”. The “Jackass” crew, who demonstrated both courage and madness in dangerous, sometimes self-harming stunts, quickly became popular with young people. The former skateboarder and stuntman Bam Margera became a celebrated global star overnight. Margera’s career then raced in the opposite direction in a similarly spectacular way.

In recent years, he has repeatedly attracted attention for drug and alcohol offenses, most recently in April 2023. At that time, Margera is said to have beaten his older brother Jess and threatened his girlfriend severely. The judge imposed conditions on him, according to which he was required, among other things, to undergo therapy. The violation of the conditions at the time was the reason for his arrest in September. Only time will tell whether the MTV star is seriously interested in another career turnaround.