“The Mentalist”’s Simon Baker Admits to Drunk Driving in Court Hearing: Reports

Baker reportedly avoided a conviction on Wednesday, Sept. 11, after being charged with DUI near his home in Australia

Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, according to multiple reports.

According to NBC News, The Mentalist star, 55, avoided a conviction on Wednesday, Sept. 11, after appearing at the Mullumbimby Local Court in New South Wales, Australia.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the New South Wales Police said that a man driving a gray Tesla “in an alleged erratic manner” had been stopped on Booyung Road at Nashua on July 20 at around 2:10 am.

“Officers spoke to the driver and sole occupant, a 55-year-old man, before subjecting him to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result,” the police stated. “Due to an extensive system outage across the country, the man was subjected to a sobriety test that was conducted at the scene.”

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They added, “He was subsequently issued a field court attendance notice for attempt drive while under influence of alcohol and drive under the influence and is due to appear at Mullumbimby Local Court on 4 September 2024.”

According to NBC News and 9 News, Baker was described as remorseful by Magistrate Kathy Crittenden, who concluded that the actor was unlikely to commit the crime again.

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He was released on a nine-month good behavior bond with no conviction recorded.

"(Baker) was very polite and co-operative ... extremely remorseful for his actions," Crittenden said of Baker, per 9 News.

"The court has little difficulty in finding that Mr Baker is remorseful for his offending and it is unlikely he will offend again," she said.

According to NBC News, Australian judges have the authority to avoid recording a conviction for first-time offenders in exceptional circumstances.

PEOPLE has contacted the Mullumbimby Local Court and a rep for Baker for comment.

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