David Cassidy Pleads Not Guilty To Drunk Driving
Nov. 30 2010, Published 12:13 p.m. ET
Former teen heartthrob David Cassidy pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning following his arrest on DUI earlier this month, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Cassidy, 60, did not appear in court; rather, his attorney entered the plea in writing at St Lucie County Court in Florida.
The Partridge Family star will formally appear before Judge Cliff Barnes on January 18, 2011, and could face up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine if he is convicted.
Cassidy nearly crashed his 2008 Mercedes into another car on November 3, prior to his arrest for DUI , according to an official police report obtained by RadarOnline.com.
DOCUMENT: David Cassidy's Police Report
Authorities say a member of the Florida Highway Patrol observed Cassidy driving erractically on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County and witnessed Cassidy nearly hitting another car, whose driver had to abruptly brake to avoid a collision.
The FHP trooper pulled Cassidy over and observed the former 70's heartthrob "appeared to be somewhat confused", according to the police report. As Cassidy looked for his car registration, the officer said he was "very apologetic"... and "appeared to be very nervous, and was fumbling with the papers in the glove box."
The officer says he smelled alcohol on the defendant while they were talking. The report says that Cassidy stated "he was on prescription medications.. and that he had a glass of wine around lunch time and a Hydrocodone at approximately 3:30 pm." which was several hours before he was pulled over.
After leaving his Mercedes, the trooper said Cassidy was unsteady on his feet and had to be instructed several times to stay on the shoulder of the highway.
A second tropper arrived and gave Cassidy a field sobriety test, according to the FHP report. Cassidy failed all three tests, FHP reported, and he was placed under arrest at about 8:30 pm.
After his arrest, FHP searched the vehicle and found a half-empty 700 milliliter bottle of Labrot Graham Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon in his car.
After the field sobriety test, Cassidy was given a breath test and blew a .139 and .141 percent blood-alcohol content. The legal limit in Florida is .08.
He was then taken into custody and booked.
The actor - who lives in Fort Lauderdale - posted bail before being released from jail.
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