Richie Sambora [ tickets ] plead no contest yesterday (4/22) to one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, according to published reports. The deal with prosecutors was struck just hours after they filed drunken driving charges against the Bon Jovi [ tickets ] guitarist.

In exchange for the plea, the district attorney in California agreed to drop a second charge--driving under the influence of alcohol. The two charges are similar, however, the legal-limit charge refers to a blood-test measurement, whereas the under-the-influence charge is generally based on a more subjective determination of the driver's condition, according to the Associated Press.

The 48-year-old Sambora was pulled over March 25 in Laguna Beach where he allegedly was seen swerving and straddling two lanes. Two children and a woman were in the car; police reportedly asked the DA to file child endangerment charges against Sambora as well, but prosecutors didn't have enough to make the case.

Sambora was sentenced to three years of informal probation, three months of first-offender alcohol awareness class and court fees. He also cannot have an measurable amount of drugs or alcohol in his system while driving during his probation.