Bruno Mars to Enter Plea in Las Vegas Cocaine Case

By Marielena Hatzigiannis

February 16, 2011 / 10:13 AM / CBS News

Bruno Mars at the Clark County Regional Justice Center to waive his preliminary hearing on felony drug possession charges, Feb. 4, 2011, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Ethan Miller

(CBS/AP) Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is due to plead guilty before a Nevada judge to cocaine possession as part of a deal with Las Vegas prosecutors that could result in the felony conviction being erased next year.

The 25-year-old, also known as Peter Hernandez, is due Wednesday to plead guilty before a Nevada judge in Clark County District Court.

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Mars allegedly possessed 2.6 grams of cocaine when he was arrested in September in a men's room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas following a performance at a nightclub.

As opposed to a jail sentence, the Grammy award-winner will have to spend a year on probation, receive a $2,000 fine, serve 200 hours of community service and attend drug counseling.

Earlier this month, Mars' defense lawyer Blair Berk said her client appreciated the chance he was receiving as a first-time offender. She said, "We're extremely pleased the charge against Bruno is going to be dismissed."

If he stays out of trouble for a year, the conviction would be removed from his record.