Celebrity Justice
Cops: Sambora Ain't No Child Endangerer

Law enforcement sources tell us there's a dogfight inside the Laguna Beach PD, where the brass has recommended that prosecutors file child endangerment charges against Sambora for his DUI bust March 26. We're told "a significant number of officers" inside the department feel there's no evidence of child endangerment. There was no smell of alcohol on his breath, and no evidence of dangerous or erratic driving.

Sambora's 10-year-old daughter Ava, along with Ava's 17-year-old cousin and Richie's GF, were also in the car when he was popped. Looks like Richie's blood alcohol level was over the legal limit. But that's not the end of the story.

In order to file child endangerment charges, prosecutors look to the actual behavior of the suspect. In this case, we're told Sambora exhibited no "dangerous conduct." The reason he was stopped in the first place was because his big-ass Hummer had crossed the line in which it was supposed to be traveling. We're told crossing the line was a function of how large the vehicle was, not evidence that Sambora was impaired.

Richie boy was cooperative and responsive at the scene, and many of the cops believe there was "no aggravated conduct to support child endangerment." Why would prosecutors risk losing a high-profile case on a charge where they just don't have the goods? That's what we're thinkin.'

Reader Comments

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16. What does England have to do with it?

Posted at 7:09PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Maxim

17. you are all idiots. mmkay.

Posted at 7:09PM on Apr 14th 2008 by john

18. In Wisconsin its automatic child endangerment with under age in car & blood over limit. He should get the book thrown at him for this. But really I want the U.S. to nuke some country. We need to fry a whole country to put an end to world suffering. We would do this 1 country at a time. "GOT NUKES"?

Posted at 7:11PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Nuke em & we Own Em

19. Wow, friendly blog, I am happy the cops are speaking up for Sambora. He has had enough problems without adding child endangerment to the list. Rock on Richie.

Posted at 7:12PM on Apr 14th 2008 by WTF

20. Gosh,according to the comments we all need to pray for anyone who posts a comment. HAGN Everyone, I am done with site!

Posted at 7:18PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Maxim needs to get a life!

21. Carrie, congrats and welcome. I am glad the cops think he ain't no child endangerer. WTF you seem to have 2 personalities so good luck. I say we all take our HAPPY PILL! :)

Posted at 7:22PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Kelli

22. I think it is best not to press the charges. I think he will have learned from this already, and not do it again. Pressing the charges would probably be harmful to his daughter who he is obviously very close to, because it would likely limit his exposure to her. I'll bet other people in California get DUI's all the time with kids in the car, and they don't press child endangemernt charges. They just want to do it to Richie to make an example of him, which I think is wrong. He should be treated just like everyone else.

Posted at 11:53PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Nevada

23. So, if that was me and I had been drinking (as TMZ is stating) and had a child with me, I would not be arrested? Right!!!

Posted at 7:31PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Dallas

24. Oh come on Dallas, they are performing here this week and my neice is going, He can't be arrested! lol HAPPY PILL BIG D!

Posted at 7:33PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Kelli

25. Oh Wait! Thats tonight here. They can nab him tomorrow then!

Posted at 7:35PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Kelli

26. The two cops pulled the guy over not the whole police department. I hope this does not go the way of celebrity non-justice and I hope the DA throws the book at him, how can you be over the legal limit andnot endanger the two minors in the car....you can't!

Posted at 7:37PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Merit

27. I swear, I have a diseased nut sac. Really - I wouldn't kid about something like this.

Posted at 7:46PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Johnny Scroat

28. So let me understand, he was over the limit but didn't act a fool?

Posted at 7:49PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Granny Pants

29. Ava's cousin would have to be Heather's niece...Richie is an only child.

Posted at 7:52PM on Apr 14th 2008 by NaLily

30. so was richie over the legal limit or not? when i read stories online about this, there seems to be varied opinions on if he was or wasn't drunk. maybe he was just trying to change lanes and didn't have enough room for the hummer without "weaving?" and if he was over the limit, i'd call that child endangerment. or is it merely stupidity? i guess my parents were just lucky the cops never caught them and i am lucky they never had any accidents with me or my siblings in the car!!

Posted at 7:53PM on Apr 14th 2008 by cheerycherie

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