Richie Sambora’s frightening experience of being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol ended Tuesday with the rock guitarist pleading guilty to one count of drunk driving and receiving three years’ probation.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora pleaded guilty to one count of drunk driving in a Newport Beach, Calif. court Tuesday. The 48-year-old musician was not present in court, but a lawyer showed on his behalf and entered the guilty plea, reports People magazine.

He was sentenced to three years’ probation, a three-month alcohol education class, and ordered to pay fees.

Sambora was arrested in late March after being spotted driving his Hummer erratically in Laguna Beach. In the vehicle with him were girlfriend Jenn Mallini, Ava, his 10-year-old daughter with former wife Heather Locklear, and her teenage cousin.

The Laguna Beach Police Department had recommended that Sambora be charged with misdemeanor child endangerment, but prosecutors declined to pursue that charge.

“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.”

Sambora’s blood alcohol level was tested at .13, with the California legal limit being .08. Legal experts at the time said the guitarist 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 earlier this month.

“But it's possible this can be plea bargained to a lesser offense, and/or he could get rehab in lieu of jail.” Which is exactly what happened for the troubled musician.

Last year, he went through several difficult situations – his divorce from Locklear was finalized, a one-year relationship with Denise Richards ended and his father died of lung cancer, reports People.

In June, Sambora entered a treatment facility to receive help with what had become an alcohol problem.

Prosecutors did not file a child endangerment charge against Sambora because there was not sufficient evidence to support it.