Ross Mirkarimi sentence: San Francisco sheriff gets 3 years' probation in spousal violence case
(CBS/AP) SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco sheriff Ross Mirkarimi has been sentenced to three years of probation and must attend a domestic violence program after pleading guilty to false imprisonment in a New Year's Eve dispute with his wife.
Mirkarimi's sentence on Monday was part of a deal struck with prosecutors over allegations that he bruised his wife's arm.
Mirkarimi initially faced multiple misdemeanor charges, including domestic violence battery. That could've landed him in prison for up to a year, if convicted.
Instead he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment. The move came after a round of pretrial testimony about his love life and images released of his tearful wife, Eliana Lopez, with a bruised bicep.
Mirkarimi still could face political repercussions. Mayor Ed Lee has said he's considering whether to try to remove the sheriff from office.
Under the agreement, Mirkarimi must pay $590 in fines, serve probation, spend a year in a domestic violence intervention program, take parenting classes and do community service.
The judge also left a stay-away order in place that keeps Mirkarimi away from his wife until further notice.