Bruno Mars cleared of cocaine charges after completing community service requirements

Pop singer Bruno Mars found himself in legal trouble last year after pleading guilty to a cocaine possession charge. After completing community service requirements outlined by a judge, the “Just The Way You Are” singer will have the felony charge cleared from his record.

TMZ reported that Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, had completed 230 hours of community service, despite being ordered by the judge to complete 200 hours. Mars’ lawyer, Blair Berk, appeared in a Las Vegas court to represent Mars and was told by the judge that the charges will be wiped from his record. "Bruno earned the dismissal of his charge. He exceeded the expectations of the court in both his service to the community and his counseling,” Berk told the site.

According to The Associated Press, Mars was arrested in Sept. 2010 in a bathroom at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He acknowledged that he had 2.6 grams of cocaine on him at the time.

Mars plead guilty on Feb. 16 and was not given formal probation. Instead, he was just ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, do 200 hours of community service and eight hours of drug counseling. He was facing up to four years in prison, but Berk told reporters that Mars’ good behavior “earned” him the dismissal.

The first-time offender was able to count charity performances in Los Angeles and Minneapolis as community service hours. Mars also worked with an anti-bullying campaign, children’s charities and health organizations, Blair told the AP.

Mars was nominated for six Grammys and will also perform at this year’s ceremony on Feb. 12.