Sam Shepard Pleads Guilty to Drunken Driving

You probably remember that actor and playwright Sam Shepard was busted for drunken driving and speeding at the very beginning of this year. Because we want to keep you up-to-date with his case, you have to know that a McLean County judge has set the final sentence for the actor.

Following his deeds, Sam Shepard was ordered to pay fines and perform 100 hours of community service to make sure he will never do such a thing agai, The Pantagraph reported. The actor confessed he felt extremely sorry for what he did but that didn't seem to impress the judge too much.

“I never intend to drive under the influence again … it’s not worth it,” Shepard said during the 20-minute court appearance.

His attorney told he judge he was unable to reach a sentencing agreement with prosecutors but his client would plead guilty.

However, the associate Judge Casey Costigan fined the 65-year-old actor $600 and court costs. Since the alcohol level in his blood was twice the legal limit, he was ordered to complete any recommended alcohol treatment program and 100 hours of community service. In addition, he was placed on 24 months of court supervision.

The actor has a busy schedule this period and apart from his work in New York, he has to go to Ireland for a theater production. This factor was taken into consideration at the hearing so, Costigan agreed to allow Shepard to complete his alcohol treatment at a facility in New York.

In the end, the judge set a September 25 hearing to review Shepard’s compliance with the sentencing terms. But the actor hurried up to pay his bills before leaving the court. He paid his fines at the circuit clerk’s office and stopped by the court services department for information on the community service he must complete.