DMX Rejects Plea Deal, Says $25k Fine Is 'Not Fair'
Rapper DMX rejected a plea bargain for a recent White Plains traffic case Monday (July 24).
The New York lyricist (born Earl Simmons) cited unfair treatment as the reason behind his refusal. The acceptance of the plea bargain would have ended the case, according to the White Plains Journal News.
"I don't feel good about this at all,'' DMX said as he referenced the bail set by City Court Judge Barbara Leak. "It's not fair - $25,000 for traffic tickets? Come on. Let's keep it real.''
Leak set the bail after DMX did not appear for previous court dates. As a result, the wordsmith spent a night at the Westchester County Jail on June 30.
DMX was freed July 1 after acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea allowed him to post a $2,500 bond instead of cash bail.
The rapper remained quiet in court on Monday as his lawyer Murray Richman represented him.
Richman later revealed to the Journal News that Simmons refused a plea deal that was offered by the DA's office but did not reveal the details surrounding the offer.
DMX's snubbing is the latest in a saga that sprang from a June 2 arrest by police who said the 35-year-old rapper was speeding.
Authorities also discovered that Simmon's New York driver's license had been suspended. They later charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and issued tickets accusing him of speeding, seat-belt and unsafe lane change violations.
Leak, who adjourned the case until Aug. 25, said it is possible for conferences to be held in order to resolve the case without going to trial.
If DMX is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail.
The incident is not the first traffic incident for DMX, who is set to appear in Harrison Town Court on August 29. The rapper pleaded not guilty to driving on the shoulder of the Hutchinson River Parkway to avoid a traffic jam.
The New York lyricist (born Earl Simmons) cited unfair treatment as the reason behind his refusal. The acceptance of the plea bargain would have ended the case, according to the White Plains Journal News.
"I don't feel good about this at all,'' DMX said as he referenced the bail set by City Court Judge Barbara Leak. "It's not fair - $25,000 for traffic tickets? Come on. Let's keep it real.''
Leak set the bail after DMX did not appear for previous court dates. As a result, the wordsmith spent a night at the Westchester County Jail on June 30.
DMX was freed July 1 after acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea allowed him to post a $2,500 bond instead of cash bail.
The rapper remained quiet in court on Monday as his lawyer Murray Richman represented him.
Richman later revealed to the Journal News that Simmons refused a plea deal that was offered by the DA's office but did not reveal the details surrounding the offer.
DMX's snubbing is the latest in a saga that sprang from a June 2 arrest by police who said the 35-year-old rapper was speeding.
Authorities also discovered that Simmon's New York driver's license had been suspended. They later charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and issued tickets accusing him of speeding, seat-belt and unsafe lane change violations.
Leak, who adjourned the case until Aug. 25, said it is possible for conferences to be held in order to resolve the case without going to trial.
If DMX is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail.
The incident is not the first traffic incident for DMX, who is set to appear in Harrison Town Court on August 29. The rapper pleaded not guilty to driving on the shoulder of the Hutchinson River Parkway to avoid a traffic jam.
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