Charges Against Warwick Dropped

The state of Florida dropped a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession against Dionne Warwick Wednesday after the Grammy award-winning singer completed a pretrial program aimed at giving first-time offenders a second chance, a court official said.

Warwick, 61, was charged with marijuana possession on May 12 at Miami International Airport when baggage screeners found 11 marijuana cigarettes in her lipstick case.

The five-time Grammy award winner, whose career has spanned nearly four decades, is best known for pop R&B hits such as "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" "I Say A Little Prayer" and "That's What Friends Are For."

Because Warwick was a first-time offender, she was allowed to enter a pretrial program that led to dismissal of the charge, said Ed Griffith, spokesman for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney said.

"It's in line with the concept that the first-time offenders deserve a chance to undo their mistakes," Griffith said.

As part of the program, Warwick underwent a medical evaluation and donated $250 to a program that supports infants born with the virus that causes AIDS, Griffith said. She also will make a public service announcement "warning our youth about drug abuse," Griffith said.