Rapper Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, arrives at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan for an appearance regarding a DUI arrest on March 5th in Highland Park. (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune / April 11, 2014)
Tribune reporter
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.”
