Richie Sambora Pleads Out of California DUI

Rocker strikes deal with prosecutors hours after being officially charged drunk driving in California.

Richie Sambora agreed to a plea agreement with prosecutors just hours after he had been formally charged with driving under the influence in California. The deal calls for Sambora to plead no contest to driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. In exchange the district attorney dropped the more serious charge of California DUI. The distinction between the charges is that having a blood alcohol content above .08% is a machine measurement whereas DUI is a more subjective analysis of a driver's ability to operate a vehicle.

Sambora must also complete a three month alcohol awareness class and pay court fees. He is prohibited from having any measurable amount of alcohol or drugs in his system while driving during his three probation term.

The 48-year old guitarist for the rock group Bon Jovi was arrested for drunk driving in Laguna Beach, California on March 25. His BAC was reportedly .13%. Because Sambora's daughter and another child were in the car at the time of the arrest, police requested that misdemeanor charges of child endangerment be filed. Prosecutors however said that there had to be additional aggrevated circumstances to make that case.

If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence in Orange County, California (VC 23152) you will need to hire a Laguna Beach DUI lawyer.