Erin Brockovich, the high profile legal clerk and environmental accident, was involved in a less flattering incident recently, when she was arrested for drunken boating last Friday. She has since apologized for her behavior in an official statement.

'At no time was the boat away from the dock and there was no public safety risk,' she said in a statement. 'That being said, I take drunk driving very seriously, this was clearly a big mistake. I know better and I am very sorry,' she said about the arrest.

According to the Daily Mail, 52-year-old Brockovich was struggling to dock the boat at Lake Mead, Nevada, when her fumbling attracted the attention of a local game warden. She later explained her actions with an underestimated amount of alcohol.

'After a day in the sun and with nothing to eat it appears that a couple of drinks had a greater impact than I realized,' Brockovich explained.

The incident didn’t end too badly for her though, as she was only booked in for a few hours and later released on a $1000 bail. Still, the mother of three didn’t underestimate the severity of her actions. A police officer later commented that “'This incident is an important reminder that boating under the influence is on par with driving under the influence.'

Brockovich first became famous in 1996 for helping to win a record $333 million settlement from a power company after dozens of people were poisoned by chemicals released into the water supply in the California town of Hinkley. Her story was further publicized by the 2000 biographical film, starring Julia Roberts. Brockovich has no previous criminal history. 

Julia Roberts, Jesus Henry Christ Premiere
Julia Roberts portrayed Brockovich in the eponymous film