Richie Sambora strikes plea deal in DUI case

Lawyers drop second charge against the guitarist for Bon Jovi on the exchange

LOS ANGELES - Richie Sambora an agreement with prosecutors Tuesday just hours after he filed drunken driving charges against him, claiming no contest to a 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 Aarti Emami, a spokesman for the district attorney.

Sambora was sentenced to three years' informal probation, three months of the first offender alcohol awareness class and court fees. Also, he may not have any measurable amount of drugs or alcohol in their system while driving during his probation.
The legal limit for the prosecution refers to a blood test measurement, while those under the influence charge is broadly based on greater subjective determination of the status of the driver. Both are filed routinely drink and drive and carry penalties similar cases.
The 48-year-old musician was hitch in Laguna Beach in the March 25 after he was seen esquive and straddling two lanes. The spokesman for the district attorney said Aarti Emami Sambora's blood alcohol level was .13 percent, the legal limit is .08 percent in California.

Sambora did not attend the hearing in the Superior Court of Orange County, where his attorney, Blair Berk, entered the plea on his behalf. Berk confirmed the motive, but declined to address other comments.

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

Police have asked the district attorney to file charges of misdemeanor child endangerment against Sambora also, but said Emami prosecutors lacked enough to make the case.

"The charge of DUI in itself shows that have endangered himself and others," he said. "There would be no need to be more aggravating circumstances in charge."