Former “Melrose Place” star Heather Locklear pleaded no contest on Friday to a reduced charge of reckless driving in a plea deal that came as a result of her September arrest on charges of driving under the influence of prescription drugs.

 

Santa Barbara Assistant District Attorney Lee Carter explained that the 47-year-old actress had been sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation, a fine of $900 at most and a 12-hour driving class.

 

Although the former star of television show “Dynasty” failed to attend the court hearing in Santa Barbara, the plea was entered on Friday by her legal representative, Blair Berk.

According to California law, “no contest” is the correspondent of a guilty plea.

 

Santa Barbara Assistant District Attorney Lee Carter informed the New York Daily News that Heather Locklear had benefited from the same treatment an ordinary person in her position would have.

 

The actress was arrested on September 27 in Montecito, not far from the coastal town of Santa Barbara, after police discovered her vehicle parked on a highway and blocking a traffic lane.

 

Toxicology tests revealed that Heather Locklear had not consumed alcohol or illegal drugs and that she had only prescription medication in her system. She was initially charged with driving under the influence.

 

Before her September arrest, the actress, who divorced Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora last year, spent approximately a month in a treatment center beacause of anxiety and depression.