Norway summons Winehouse to court over appeal

After lying low for a spell, troubled British singer Amy Winehouse will likely make the front page once again in the new year after being summoned to appear in a Norwegian court over a drug possession case.

Norwegian officials have called on the Grammy Award-winning singer to appear in an Oslo court beginning Jan. 12 in regards to her appeal of a 2007 incident.

In October 2007, Winehouse and her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, were arrested on charges of marijuana possession in Norway during one of her concert stops. After being held overnight, the couple paid fines of about $415 US each.

The 25-year-old singer subsequently contested the fines. But before the March 2008 court date, her lawyer called for a postponement of the proceedings. Now, Norwegian officials are requiring her presence.

"She is the one who appealed, so that makes it her appeal," said police prosecutor Rudolf Christoffersen.

"Often, if you don't appear at your own appeal hearing, then the court will dismiss the appeal."

According to Winehouse's Norwegian lawyer, the payment of the fine amounted to a guilty plea, which could negatively affect her ability to enter countries to perform. For instance, U.S. authorities denied her an entry visa to attend the Grammy Awards in February, leading to her accepting her five trophies and performing via satellite.

Though considered among the young, new musical talents on the British scene, Winehouse has had a rocky ride to fame over the past few years, which have been littered with erratic behaviour and performances, an ongoing and highly public battle with substance abuse and other health issues as well as her husband's incarceration for assault.