Richie Sambora May Nip DUI in the Bud -- Get It?

Posted Mar 29th 2008 10:46AM by TMZ Staff

Richie Sambora may dodge a bullet in his DUI bust earlier this week, and not because of legal footwork -- because he may not have been DUI.

Sambora volunteered to submit to a blood alcohol test after he was popped in Laguna Beach. It may take a week before we know the results. But several sources -- who know what the alleged drunk drank -- tell TMZ Richie simply didn't drink much at all before the cops stopped him, and the blood test may register below the .08 legal limit in Calif.

True enough, if he was driving erratically and had any alcohol in him, he could still theoretically be charged with DUI. But that may not be in the cards either.

There's a buzz that Heather may go into court to wrestle away some of Richie's custody of their kid, Ava. Our sources say, ain't gonna happen. Part of the reason -- Heather has her own issues. But the biggest reason is that we're told Richie may be the best dad in rock & roll -- he has flown from gigs in Japan to see Ava play softball.

And you thought TMZ only took shots. Apology accepted.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music

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16. People chill, tmz is doing their job if u don't like what they have to say then don't read it. U r the people that r pathetic for criticizing everything they say. I love tmz they r the only accurate site with their info and I won't believe it until I've read it on tmz.

Posted at 12:32PM on Mar 29th 2008 by dusty

17. If you have to point out that you printed something positive, and then pat yourself on the back for it.................that speaks volumes. It would indicate this isn't a common practice, wouldn't it?

Posted at 12:38PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Tristania

18. In CA it doesn't matter if your BAL is below .08. If you are driving erratically, you can be busted for DUI anyway. I personally know someone who got convicted of a full DUI with a BAL of .04. In drunk class, the instructor explained that you can be busted for DUI even while riding a bike in CA.

Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Ida Clair

19. It will be a cold day in hell before I apologize to you TMZ ! You're lower than the gutter !

Posted at 12:45PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Whatever

20. NO APOLOGY GIVEN! TMZ DOES GIVE BAD SHOTS AS PEOPLE! TMZ'S MOTTO: GET THEM WHEN THEY'RE DOWN!

Posted at 1:04PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Me

21. DUI = driving under the influence
DWI = driving while intoxicated
if he was smoking bud he's still guilty of DUI/DWI, driving impaired, what ever you wanna call it
I was arrested for being under the influence/intoxicated by the antidepressants and psychotropics I was prescribed by an M.D. for post traumatic shock and panic/anxiety disorder, got my drivers license revoked for five years, had to go to mandatory psych classes three times a week, monday, wednesday, friday, for two years, forced to see a court appointed shrink every tuesday, and go before a judge in court every thursday. I was the only one in the classes with a court order that stated I must take the substance according to prescription that I was arrested for being on, even tho I didnt want to, eventually I secretly quit taking all the meds, it had to be a secret because I didnt want to be jailed for violation of my terms, noncompliance

Posted at 1:12PM on Mar 29th 2008 by nobody

22. TMZ, you sooo doctored this photo to make him look worse. Shame on you!

Posted at 1:15PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Pamela

23. TMZ; THE BEST DAD IN ROCK AND ROLL!! OH PLEASE, DRIVING DRUNK OR ON DRUGS, WITH CHILDREN
IS A GOOD DAD? IN YOUR MIND, NOT MINE... THAT POOR CHILD DOESNT HAVE A CHANCE

Posted at 1:15PM on Mar 29th 2008 by jamcelr

24.
No one knows if he is guilty or innocent except him.

Posted at 1:24PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Dan

25. TMZ ROCKS!!!! Anyone who doesn't is a "Retart"!

Posted at 1:28PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Beavis

26. Whay issue is Heather having? I thought that 911 suicide called was false.

Posted at 1:29PM on Mar 29th 2008 by d-nice

27. can't we all just get along? huh? HA HA HA

Posted at 1:44PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Anastasia Beaverhausen

28. The truth is that the guy shouldn't be drinking at all. I don't care if he had one drink or ten, he has been to alcohol rehab for goodness sake! It only takes one misguided drink (I only had one) to put you right back where you started from. And how about the woman with him (they say his girlfriend), why didn't she tell him not to drink? Is she that air-headed that she wouldn't speak up? Is she that insignificant to him? She's putting herself in danger also. And why does he surround himself with people who don't tell him not to drink? Richie Sambora needs to grow up and stop the destructive behavior. Surround yourself with people who really do care and are not out for themselves, Man! Use the sense that God gave you!

Posted at 1:45PM on Mar 29th 2008 by sick and tired

29. I live in Laguna and there is a great article in the paper here about Richie Sambora. It is in The Laguna Beach Independent (don't know if they have it online) and talks about how charitable he has been to his fellow citizens here and that someone very close to him knows that that was his first drink since June. It goes on about that he has been having some difficult times (not sure about what) and that he had a drink before he went out and took his daugther, niece and girlfriend to Ruby's and then downtown to a movie. He leads a pretty quiet normal life here for a "Rock Star" and I wish people wouldn't jump to conclusions about anyone (especially when it is made public and there are children involved).

Posted at 2:34PM on Mar 29th 2008 by kaibosh

30. Doesn't he realize that is a Joe Dirt hair-do, or shall I say a hair don't. Bad hair night for Richie.

Posted at 2:50PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Hideous

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