Attorney Richard Schonfeld, left, representing pop star Bruno Mars, speaks to Arraignment Hearing Master Melissa de la Garza at the Regional Justice Center Monday, February 14, 2011. Schonfeld said an arrangement was made for Mars, 25, real name is Peter Hernandez, to plead on Wednesday. The plea deal, for possession of cocaine, calls for Mars to spend a year on probation, pay a $2,000 fine, perform 200 hours of community service and complete drug counseling.
Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 | 2:38 p.m.
Peter Hernandez
Sun Coverage
Just The Way You Are
Pop star Bruno Mars was a no-show for his arraignment on a felony cocaine possession charge Monday afternoon in a Las Vegas court.
But the co-writer of "(Expletive) You," wasn't showing any disrespect to the court.
The singer-songwriter, who won two Grammy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles, had already arranged in Las Vegas Justice Court that his presence would be waived, his attorney, Richard Schonfeld, told Arraignment Hearing Master Melisa De La Garza.
Schonfeld, who appeared on Mars' behalf, said prosecutors had already said they had no objection to Mars not being there because he would formally change his plea to guilty at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday before Judge Jessie Walsh in Clark County District Court.
Schonfeld had no comment outside the courtroom other than to say that Mars would be in court Wednesday.
Mars, 25, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, is expected to enter a guilty plea in a deal that would keep him out of jail and wipe his record clean if he stayed out of trouble for a year.
The plea deal worked out with the district attorney calls for Mars to be on probation for a year, pay a $2,000 fine, perform 200 hours of community service and complete drug counseling.
Mars spent a night in the Clark County jail in Las Vegas following his arrest in a Hard Rock Hotel restroom early Sept. 19 after a nightclub performance there.
Police said Mars handed over a bag containing 2.6 grams of cocaine, and told the arresting officer he'd never used drugs before.
On Sunday, Mars won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal for "Just the Way You Are." He also co-wrote "(Expletive) You," which won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy