Recording artist Bruno Mars appears at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on a felony drug possession charge February 16, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mars, whose legal name is Peter Hernandez, was arrested last September at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for possession of cocaine. Mars pleaded guilty to the charge and was placed on a year of informal probation as part of a deal. He will have to pay a USD 2,000 fine, perform 200 hours of community service, and attend drug counseling. If he completes the terms of the agreement, the charge will be dismissed. (2011 Getty Images)
Days after winning the Grammy for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" and delivering a one of a kind performance at the Award ceremony, Bruno Mars pleaded guilty to cocaine possession at a court in Las Vegas court.
Clark County District Judge Jessie Walsh told Mars that although he won’t be going to jail for his wrongdoing, he will be on probation, pay a $2,000 fine, perform 200 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization, and spend eight hours with a drug counselor in Los Angeles.
"You understand the penalty range?" Justice Walsh asked Mars.
"Four years," Mars replied, standing in a dark suit with his hands at his sides.
Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernández, is scheduled back in court on Jan. 18.
His Las Vegas lawyer, Richard Schonfeld, told the judge that Mars intends to meet the requirements. Blair Berk, his Los Angeles lawyer, added that the singer appreciates the chance he was getting as a first-time offender to have the felony charge dismissed.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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