Bruno Mars Escapes Cocaine Charge

He strikes a plea deal in a Las Vegas courtroom…

Bruno Mars appeared in court on 4 February and told a judge he will plead guilty at the hearing for his cocaine charge in a week’s time.

The hearing is set for 14 February, one day after the Grammy Awards where the hitmaker is up for seven gongs including best male pop vocal for Just the Way You Are (Amazing).

Dressed in a black suit and tie, Bruno was flanked by three defence lawyers as he stood up in the Las Vegas courtroom and nervously confirmed his real name, Peter Hernandez. He agreed not to contest the police report that stated he was in possession of 2.6 grams of cocaine when he was arrested at a Vegas club last September.

In return for pleading guilty, the charge will be erased from the Grenade singer’s criminal record – as long as he stays out of trouble for a year, pays a $2,000 fine, does 200 hours of community service and completes a drug counselling course.

Afterwards, Bruno’s defence lawyer, Blair Berk, said her client was relieved the judge had taken into account the fact that this was his first offence. "We're extremely pleased the charge against Bruno is going to be dismissed," she said.

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