Richie Gets a Break -- For Now

Nicole Richie's fate won't be decided for another month, because a key witness is having fun in the sun.

The commissioner in Richie's DUI case has just granted a continuance, pushing her next court date back to August 16. He also ordered Nicole to appear in court on that date.

Richie's lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley, requested the extension for an expert witness who was unavailable for today's trial date due to vacation plans. As TMZ first reported, Dr. Terence McGee will challenge the results of Nicole's drug test.

Richie admitted to taking Vicodin, and smoking pot while driving the wrong way on the 134 freeway late last year.