Bobby Brown charged with three misdemeanors in DUI case

New York, Mar 29 (ANI): Bobby Brown has been charged with three misdemeanors, following his Monday traffic stop for talking on a cell phone, and may be jailed for up to a year if convicted.

The 'New Edition' singer was well over the legal limit when busted for DUI this week.

"He blew 0.12," the New York Daily News quoted a source as saying on Wednesday, referring to Brown's breathalyzer test.

The ex-husband of Whitney Houston was formally charged with three misdemeanors, including driving with a suspended license, by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office on Wednesday.

The other charges - driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level greater than .08 - are essentially merged into one for purposes of potential sentencing, prosecutors said.

"His total exposure is up to a year (in jail) and 1,000 dollars for each count," Frank Mateljan, City Attorney spokesman told The News.

The 43-year-old's lawyer, Tiffany Feder, released a statement earlier on Wednesday defending the singer's actions.

"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and Mr. Brown was not driving erratically," Feder said.

"He was speaking on his cell phone," he said.

However, Feder did not address Brown's failed field sobriety test.

A different source in Brown's camp claimed the singer had liquor in his system from drinking he did before he woke up on Monday morning.

The source said his handlers had urged him to attend an AA meeting on Monday night to help his case.

"Mr. Brown has not been convicted of anything associated with this incident," Feder continued.

"Mr. Brown is taking this matter seriously, and an investigation is underway. The legal process shall run its course," he added. (ANI)