In May of 2011 Springfield was pulled over in Malibu while he was driving his vintage 1963 Corvette Stingray, and when the officer got close to the vehicle the smell of alcohol was evident. Apparently when Springfield was arrested he made a number of threats against the deputy. Rick threatened to kill the officer and his entire family if the vehicle was towed, but the officer did not let the threats deter him from the action taken. Springfield recently entered a plea bargain in the case that helps him avoid any incarceration time at all. The plea allows Rick to plead guilty to reckless driving and the original DUI charge was dropped. In exchange for his plea Rick Springfield will have to spend 3 years on probation, and he will also need to attend and complete a traffic program that lasts around 2 months.
The sentence may seem harsh for reckless driving. The problem with this theory is that the original DUI charge would probably have included a sentence that required substance abuse treatment. A traffic program will not help Rick Springfield deal with any alcohol abuse or addiction issues that he has. Many feel that the plea bargain was not necessarily in the best interest of anyone in this case. From the threats made it is clear that Springfield does not hold his liquor well. Substance abuse treatment is needed to help Rick evaluate why he was driving under the influence, and prevent any future problems related to alcohol.
