Nicole Richie hasn't been able to attend her court-mandated drug and alcohol courses, but unlike Lindsay Lohan, she has legitimate reasons.

TMZ reports that an LA judge on Tuesday extended the her probation to one full year because she has not been attending her alcohol education classes.

Richie's lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley (who also represents Lohan), told the judge that Richie had a court-approve leave of absence, a condition of her probation, while she raised her two kids.

The American socialite used to be a party animal and was arrested after driving the wrong way on an L.A. freeway. Because of her DUI, she was put on probation which was supposed to end next month but has been extended until March 2011.

According to the judge, he would terminate the probation earlier if Richie would complete the alcohol ed program before March.

The alcohol education report says she is very professional and focused on her classes, saying, "Her attitude is excellent."