Prosecutors dropped drink driving and reckless driving fees after the musician, 71, entered his plea in a web-based arraignment in Newark.
Springsteen, whose songs have chronicled life in New Jersey and its shore scene, admitted downing “two small photographs of tequila” at Sandy Hook seaside, in a restricted zone.
District Courtroom Justice of the Peace Decide Anthony Mautone, who mentioned attorneys had agreed to settle the case earlier than the listening to, additionally imposed $40 in charges, after which requested the rock star how lengthy he would want to pay the $540 complete.
“I believe I will pay that instantly, your honor,” mentioned Springsteen, seated subsequent to his lawyer, Mitchell Ansell.
“I believe you may, however I don’t wish to compel you to take action,” mentioned the decide. “I’m going to present you per week to get this performed.”
Ansell issued a press release after the listening to saying that Springsteen was “happy” with the end result, noting that prosecutors couldn’t show the extra critical fees and that his shopper had no earlier prison report.
Prosecutors informed the courtroom that the ban on alcohol consumption at Sandy Hook first went into impact final summer season. The seaside extends into the Atlantic simply south of New York Metropolis and is about 10 miles from Springsteen’s house.
Springsteen additionally confronted the extra critical fees of reckless driving and driving whereas intoxicated. However Assistant US Legal professional Adam Baker mentioned he was dropping each of them.
Baker mentioned prosecutors couldn’t show the reckless driving case and famous that Springsteen’s 0.02% blood alcohol stage was far beneath the state restrict, despite the fact that the incident occurred on federal property.
Mautone mentioned he agreed, including that “I can’t think about that I’d be persuaded that the federal government might maintain this burden of proof.”
The decide additionally revealed that since 1973 Springsteen’s report exhibits solely three driving violations, one in all which concerned use of a cellphone and the opposite two “aren’t even violations.”
Springsteen most just lately got here to the general public eye in a Tremendous Bowl commercial on February 7 through which he spoke of reuniting a divided America in a two-minute video titled “The Center” sponsored by Jeep.
Spotify additionally launched a podcast this week known as “Renegades: Born within the USA” that includes Springsteen and former President Barack Obama.
After information of his arrest turned public, Jeep mentioned it stopped operating the advert till extra was recognized in regards to the incident.
Further reporting by Reuters
