Richie Sambora Pleads Out DUI Case

Bon Jovi Guitarist Pleads No Contest To Blood Alcohol Charge, DUI Count Dropped

(CBS/AP)  Richie Sambora struck a deal with prosecutors Tuesday just hours after they filed drunken driving charges against him, pleading no contest to one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.

In turn, the district attorney agreed to drop a second charge — driving under the influence of alcohol — against the Bon Jovi guitarist, said Farrah Emami, a district attorney spokeswoman.

Sambora was sentenced to three years of informal probation, three months of first-offender alcohol awareness class and court fees. He also cannot have any measurable amount of drugs or alcohol in his system while driving during his probation.

The legal-limit charge refers to a blood-test measurement, whereas the under-the-influence charge is generally based on a more subjective determination of the driver's condition. Both are routinely filed in drinking and driving cases and carry similar penalties.

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Photos: Celebrity Mug Shots

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The 48-year-old musician was pulled over in Laguna Beach on March 25 after he was allegedly seen swerving and straddling two lanes. District attorney's spokeswoman Farrah Emami said Sambora's blood-alcohol level was .13 percent; the legal limit is .08 percent in California.

Sambora did not attend the hearing at the Orange County Superior Court, where his attorney, Blair Berk, entered the plea on his behalf. Berk confirmed the plea deal but declined to comment further.

Two children and a woman were in the car. The children were released to the woman's custody, and none of their names have been made public.

Police had asked the district attorney to file misdemeanor charges of child endangerment against Sambora as well, but Emami said prosecutors didn't have enough to make the case.

"The charge of DUI in itself indicates you have endangered yourself and others," she said. "There would have needed to be additional aggravating circumstances to charge that."

Sambora is a founding member of Bon Jovi, and has played guitar for all of their hits, including "Bad Medicine." The group's last album, released in 2007, was called "Lost Highway."

The band has been touring in support of the album since February. The tour was ranked No. 1 on the list of top 20 selling tours this week, according to Pollstar. The next scheduled tour date is March 31 in Denver.

Last June, Sambora checked into a treatment center at the UCLA Medical Center because, he said later, he had "been drinking too much."

He spent a week at the facility, and said he would be continuing with therapy.

"I checked into detox," he told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. "I didn't check into rehab."

[aerodog]

Canadawitch6 -

Guns N Roses got rid of a drummer due to drugs.

[jetlizhan]

sambora can look so good on stage - but his mug shot is horrendous - maybe that''s the way he really looks without all the glam - ugh!! someone asked about a drummer being kicked out of the band - to my knowledge, tico torres has always been the drummer and he''s still with them. they are a terrific group and jon gets better looking the older he gets. ruff ruff!!!

[canadawitch6]

I think that Jon is going to be pissed! Didn''t they get rid of a drummer once because he was doing drugs or something?

[hypnotoad72]

Sambora, Sambora... hmmm, wasn''t he a singer on American Idol last year?

Sambora most definitely could have hired a cab. Most people could. Or have a designated driver.

If he has an underlying problem, I have sympathy for that. But drinking and driving, I can''t think of many justifiable reasons. Or any.

Also, people shouldn''t rag on him for his looks. Everybody ages, natural appearance changes, and the soul is more important than the mere shell; though it is important too. Now if he was somebody who went out of his way to look bizarre (read lots of face tattoos and/or earrings/nose rings/whatever), that would be different - mostly cries of "Do you need psychiatric help?" if not "You planning to fly anywhere soon?"

[mjvw2]

It''s all George Bush''s fault. Opps. Sorry thought I was still on the political page.

[newsjunky5]

Hey, wasn''t there a coffee named Chase''n Sambora?

[newsjunky5]

Was that Britany and her two kids in the car giving him driving lessons?
While I don''t advocate drunk driving, he is now more than ever, but not more than James Dean, a tribute to both Rock, and Roll.

[bobnjersey]

well ... once again ... regardless of how much money, success, or fame you have ... it''s clear that we''re all of the human species and subject to all the weaknesses and failings that can befall anyone. i hope he manages to deal w/ his issue ... and it''s good that nobody got hurt while driving his 7000lb vehicle.

[shafteriffic]

Now we all can see why HOT Heather Locklear divorced this ugly old looking guy. If the article didn''t sy he was 48 I would have guessed 58-60. Give up the partying, you look like HELLL!

[skinnyminny2]

What''s with these people? If I had their $$ I''d have someone drive me to parties! These Hollywood idiots either don''t get it or don''t care because they all seem to do this.

[taylpatr]

Richie- what were you thinking?You can afford to hire a driver. I''ve been sober for nine years now. Hire me. I''ll make sure they don''t get you again. It sucks going to jail, don''t it?

[spinelli6]

poor ***....it must be sooo tough to make millions doin something you love...and to boot ....get paid millions for doing it...let ritchie get a $500 per week job...to see what life is really like....no sympathy

[enriquecaliente]

"I checked into detox," he told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. "I didn''t check into rehab."

Yea, well now guess what.? Don''t be an idiot. Check into rehab

[misssuzq]

He sure looks different without his eye liner!