Chief Keef was back in court this morning following a DUI arrest last month in Highland Park.
At the pretrial hearing, Lake County Judge Joseph Waldeck granted the 18-year-old rapper, whose real name is Keith Cozart, permission to travel out of state. Cozart’s attorney Leah Starkman said after the hearing that her client travels back and forth to Los Angeles for his music career.
Starkman said Cozart plans to plead not guilty to the charge alleging he drove while high on marijuana.
Cozart was pulled over by Highland Park police on March 5 for an expired registration. Police said he showed signs of impairment from drugs and charged him with DUI after conducting field sobriety tests.
Cozart, who wore a leather hooded jacket, jeans and pristine white sneakers in court today, did not speak during the hearing.
On his way to the elevator, Cozart turned to reporters and said, “It is what it is.”
When asked by a reporter if she felt her client was being unfairly targeted by police because of his celebrity, Starkman said, “He believes that, and his management does as well.”
Cozart’s recent run-ins with the law have stoked neighbors’ concerns. He completed a stint in rehab, ordered by a Cook County judge, in February. Last month, he escaped eviction from his Highland Park home by agreeing to pay the $30,000 in back rent he owed. Two weeks ago, Cozart was present at his manager’s rented Northfield home when a shooting left a man critically injured. Cozart was questioned by police and released. Police have not arrested anyone in the case.
“I think he’s absolutely learning and maturing,” Starkman said. “He’s only 18 years old, and people seem to forget that.”
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