Jackson accepted a deal with the Orange County District Attorney's office in exchange for his guilty plea. As part of the negotiated agreement, Jackson will be required to pay restitution for his crime, undergo mental health evaluations and perform 200 hours of community service.
Jackson could still be sentenced to up to six months in jail and probation if he does not fulfill the terms before his sentencing date of Jan. 7, 2010.
Toxicology tests did not indicate that Jackson was under the influence of any controlled substances at the time of the incident. However, medical professionals did determine that Jackson was suffering from delirium while driving.
According to MedicineNet.com, delirium is defined as "a sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometimes associated with hallucinations and hyperactivity, in which the patient is inaccessible to normal contact."
Jackson was arrested on July 15, 2008 after leading the police on a wild car chase in California through Cosa Mesa to Newport Beach.
Jackson hit two cars and ignored the police's request to pull over. Driving with a blown tire and talking on the cellphone, Jackson struck more cars while evading the police and almost hit pedestrians when he drove onto the sidewalk. Jackson ran through several red lights before finally stopping for the police.
Jackson later explained that he was trying to save a friend's life.
If Jackson had not accepted the deal, he could have faced up to three years in prison if convicted.
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