Actress Jaime Pressly has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence (DUI), stemming from an arrest last month.

The My Name Is Earl star was taken into custody by police in Santa Monica, California on 5 January 5 after struggling to complete a field sobriety test. Her car had initially been pulled over for a suspected traffic violation.

Pressly, who was reportedly almost three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, was released on $15,000 bail and subsequently charged with two counts of DUI.

She entered her plea during a court hearing at a Los Angeles County courtroom on Friday and is next due in court on March 18.

If convicted, the actress faces up to six months in jail.

Pressly's legal woes are building up - in addition to the DUI case, she reportedly owes $637,149 in unpaid taxes. She is also in the midst of divorcing entertainment lawyer Simran Singh.

Click for more great Jaime Pressly pictures: