Award shows in Los Angeles are always the best times to get a glimpse of the best and worst behaved celebrities in Hollywood.  Being in the spotlight 24/7 is as much a curse as it is a blessing.  People often think that when a celebrity gets in trouble they get special treatment by the police and by the courts.  This is not really true.

Take for instance Bruno Mars, an extremely talented young musician. Everyone knows that young people make mistakes and that shouldn’t ruin the rest of their lives. The plea negotiated for Bruno Mars is neither extraordinary nor does it show he was given any special treatment by the court.  “Diversion” or “Deferred Entry of Judgment” is available to any first time drug offender, whether the drug offense is a felony or a misdemeanor. A first time drug offender is entitled to plead guilty as charged, be placed on probation for a period of time and undergo other terms and conditions. In California the minimum period of probation by law is 18 months. The terms and conditions usually include attending classes, drug rehabilitation, drug testing and perhaps community service.  Upon satisfactory completion of probation, the plea is withdrawn.  At no time has the defendant been convicted if he satisfactorily completes probation.  This remedy which also permits removal of the arrest from the person’s record at the conclusion of probation, is available only one time in any defendant’s entire criminal history.

The same types of alternative sentencing mechanisms are available to anyone. Being the subject of criminal proceedings is a shocking and horrible experience, for which celebrity status provides no help. I have represented celebrities, professionals and people from all walks of life. I can tell you that having a good, and experienced attorney, who knows how to work the criminal justice system is the key. There are some excellent public defenders and criminal defense attorneys who are able to work out excellent plea agreements for their clients to ensure that their client’s lives are not ruined by a first time mistake.  Rather, knowledge of the resources available and of utilizing criminal justice procedure to negotiate an appropriate plea or sentence to promote their client’s welfare is available to anyone.