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June 13, 2006

Update: Kennedy gets probation, community service

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy will serve no jail time for driving under the influence of prescription drugs May 4, but he was sentenced this afternoon to one year of probation, $350 in fines, and 50 hours of community service.

Kennedy appeared before a Judge Aida Melendez in Washington Superior Court earlier this afternoon wearing a navy blue suit. He did not smile during the 20-minute hearing and answered the judge's questions in simple phrases, such as "yes, your honor."

His longest statement was: "I am pleading guilty to driving under the influence."

Melendez outlined several conditions for Kennedy's probation. They include attending one meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous per week, attending monthly treatment sessions with a doctor at Bethesda Naval Hospital, attending a weekly recovery group meeting in addition to the AA meeting, having weekly contact with his AA sponsor, submiting to random urine drug abuse screenings, and staying in touch with psychiatrists to monitor mood symptoms, anxiety and use of psychotropic prescription medication used to treat his mental illness.

Melendez sentenced Kennedy to 10 days in jail, which was suspended. Kennedy also must pay $100 to the Victim's of Crime Fund, and $250 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, D.C. -- the same organization to which he must commit 50 hours of community service.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 2:55 PM | Permalink

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