Last month Richie Sambora was pulled over in Laguna Beach for driving erratically in his Hummer. He was charged with DUI. The case has since been handed over to the Orange County DA’s Office with a recommendation that Sambora be charged with child endangerment in addition to the previous DUI charge.
DUI is clearly a case of extremely poor judgment but transporting his 10 year old daughter Ava and her cousin while in that condition borders on insane. Jenn Mallini, the rockers girlfriend, was also along for the ride.
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,” says veteran DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor, who’s not involved with the case. “But it’s possible this can be plea bargained to a lesser offense, and/or he could get rehab in lieu of jail.”
Richie is due for arraignment on May 7th. According to friends of the singer, he was in good spirits over the weekend in Las Vegas. He was observed drinking only water at Hard Rock Hotel prior to joining Bon Jovi on stage at the MGM Grand.
Sambora has been the rehab route for alcohol and drugs last June. Now that his daughter is involved, perhaps this is the wake up call that the singer needs.