Former prosecutor receives probation on drug charge

Steve Hill came to court for sentencing on a drug charge in belly chains, shackles and a blue jail jumpsuit -- like many of those he used to prosecute when he was a deputy district attorney.

"I ruined my life judge," Hill said at Monday's hearing in District Judge Michael Douglas' courtroom.

The sentence wasn't in question since the felony drug possession conviction requires probation under Nevada law, but Hill's lawyer, Andres Rappard, asked the judge to structure the sentence so the felony conviction could be wiped off the books if Hill completes probation.

That is allowed under the law, but the best Douglas would agree to was to reduce the charge to a gross misdemeanor if Hill was successful.

Deputy Attorney General Victor Schulze said he doubted that would occur since Hill failed to complete Drug Court -- which would have resulted in charges being dismissed -- and had walked away from drug treatment centers.

The probation requires him to submit to random drug testing, attend counseling and perform eight hours of community service a month.

Schulze predicted that Hill would be back in court in a month on charges of violating his probation by again using cocaine.

If that is the case, Hill would have to serve one-to-four years in prison.

Hill was in jail because he failed earlier this month to show up for his original sentencing date and Douglas issued a warrant for his arrest. The 32-year-old suspended lawyer was arrested on Thursday and sat behind bars over the weekend.

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