Jessica Simpson's Dad Pleads Not Guilty to DUI

Joe Simpson was pulled over Aug. 4 in the San Fernando Valley

By Natalie Finn Sep 13, 2012 10:43 PMTags
Jessica Simpson, Joe SimpsonKevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jessica Simpson's father is maintaining his innocence.

Joe Simpson pleaded not guilty Thursday to two DUI charges—driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or above—stemming from his Aug. 4 arrest.

Maxwell's grandpa was pulled over by police on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, Calif., not too far from the Simpson family homestead.

Should the case go the distance, a pretrial hearing has been set for Oct. 11 in Van Nuys Superior Court.

Simpson, 54, was not required to appear in person today as his is a misdemeanor case, so his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf.

If convicted on both counts, Simpson faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail, three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.