People News

Deena Cortese fined by court

Jul 4, 2012, 8:01 GMT

Deena Cortese with parents after arrest

'Jersey Shore' star Deena Cortese has been fined $106 for failing to use the sidewalk.

The reality TV personality was arrested last month in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, after officers said she was dancing in a roadway and interfering with traffic but municipal prosecutor Kim Pascarella said there was insufficient evidence to prove that charge and instead allowed Deena to plead guilty to the lesser offence of not using a sidewalk when one was provided.

Deena - who also had to pay $33 in court costs - told Municipal Court Judge Dan Sahin: 'I'm sorry if I caused any trouble.'

Because the offence was a violation of the motor vehicle code, Deena avoided a criminal conviction but was warned by the New Jersey judge about wasting police time.

He said: 'Ms. Cortese, please keep in mind you're taking police officers away from a job they have to do.

'The officers here are not the New York City Police Department; we're not 1,000-strong. They've got a tough job to do.'

Deena was seen wiping away tears as she queued to pay her fine and her attorney admitted she had been upset by the incident.

Lawyer Michael Pappa said: 'Deena was in the middle of the road. Traffic was at a standstill because of summer congestion. She knew she made a mistake and she regrets what she did.

'She took this situation very seriously. She was very upset about getting arrested and having to go to the police station, and she was very apologetic to the police officers.'