Denver, CO
Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony was given one year probation and 24 hours of community service after pleading guilty Tuesday to driving while ability impaired and failure to remain in a single lane.
In exchange for his guilty plea on Tuesday, three other counts -- including a more serious driving under the influence charge -- was dropped.
The charge stems from an April 14 arrest when he was stopped on Interstate 25 near 20th Street. His blood-alcohol level tested at 0.148 -- almost twice the legal limit of .08, according to arresting officers.
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Anthony was also assessed more than $1,000 in court costs and fines.
In court, he accepted responsibility for his actions.
"I'm happy that it's over so I get a chance to take care of my business," Anthony said afterward.
Last month, the 24-year-old star forward was ticketed for driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone and paid a $130 fine.
All of the Denver Nuggets coaches showed up for Anthony's sentencing to show their support for the popular player.
"We as an organization just wanted to support Melo. It's been a tough time for him. I think he's been humbled by this situation. And just to have some friends in the crowd and make sure that he knows he's got a basketball family that is with him and will do anything to help him through it all," said Nuggets head coach George Karl.
There had been talks of a trade but it appears that the Nuggets are intent on keeping him.
"We were very dissapointed in how it (the season) ended, and we want to have a gret year next year. I think melo is going to lead us in that way." Karl added.
The DWI conviction is an eight-point violation and the failure to remain in a single lane violation is another three points. The earlier speeding violation that Anthony pleaded guilty last week is also a three-point violation, according to Lynn Kimbrough of the Denver District Attorney's Office.
In just two days this week, the 24-year-old Anthony has been chosen for the U.S. Olympic team, suspended by his team for two games of the next season because of the DUI arrest, named to a State Patrol driving-safety program and now sentenced on the reduced charges.
"I look forward to making a positive impact in the lives of others, especially for those in my age group," said Anthony in a Colorado State Patrol news release. "As a leader and a role model, and also as someone they can relate to, I want to encourage teens and young adults to learn from their experiences and make the right decisions for a healthy future."
Carmelo was assigned to work with the "Alive at 25" program for young drivers.
The program is a 4.5 hour classroom course specifically designed for the 15- to 24-year age group. The program, which Anthony will attend as a student and complete the coursework required, raises students' awareness to the root causes of the needless fatality crashes that plague this age group: poor decision-making, inexperience, risk-taking, impaired driving, distractions, speed, the failure to wear a seatbelt and the unanticipated consequences of poor decision-making in and around automobiles.
John Anderson runs the "Alive at 25" program.
He told 7NEWS, " I looked into his eyes and had a nice conversation with him."
He added, "We wouldn't have an agreement or enter into a relationship with someone who wasn't being forthcoming or admitting their mistakes."
"Alive at 25 also actively reaches students through high school assemblies across the state, and Anthony is personally committed to participating in these assemblies during the 2008-09 school year, sharing his life experiences with students and helping serve as a guest speaker, mentor and peer," the CSP news release stated.
The Nuggets star was smiling as he left court with his fiancee.
Labels: Carmelo Anthony - DUI
