 |
|
|
Officers from the Laguna Beach Police Department have recommended to prosecutors that Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora should be charged with DUI as well as child endangerment stemming from his late March arrest.
"We did ask for a misdemeanor child endangerment charge to be filed against him," Sgt. Jason Kravitz told E! News. "We also recommended they charge him with misdemeanor DUI."
At the time of his arrest, the rocker, who was spotted driving his Hummer erratically in Laguna Beach, was in the car with his girlfriend Jenn Mallini, his 10-year-old daughter Ava and her teenage cousin.
"Because the case is under review, I can’t discuss the details," D.A. spokeswoman Farrah Emami was quoted by People as saying. "Ultimately, we have to base our decision on the available evidence."
According to legal experts, the 48-year-old musician could face jail time if convicted of both misdemeanors.
"Assuming Sambora was driving with over a .08 blood-alcohol level with a passenger under 14 in the car, he's looking at probable jail time," veteran DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor, who's not involved with the case, told People. "But it's possible this can be plea bargained to a lesser offense, and/or he could get rehab in lieu of jail."
However, in order to actually file child endangerment charges, prosecutors are forced to look into the actual behavior of the suspect and in this case, Sambora exhibited no "dangerous conduct."
In fact, Sambora, who's had quite some rough last few years, was actually pulled over because his Hummer had crossed the line in which it was supposed to be traveling.
Currently touring the U.S. with Bon Jovi, Sambora is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment May 7.
© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia