After $25,000 bail for missing trial, Rapper DMX says he’ll be back

Rapper DMX “Earl Simmons”, 35, who was arrested in June, charged with driving without a license, improper lane changing and jailed overnight after missing two court appearances, is now going to trial.

Rapper DMX “Earl Simmons”, 35, who was arrested in June, charged with driving without a license, improper lane changing and jailed overnight after missing two court appearances, is now going to trial.

The Yonkers native, who moved to Arizona last year, was arrested June 2 on Martine Avenue when, police said, he was speeding in his 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. He was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, after cops discovered that his New York driver’s license was suspended. Simmons was also issued tickets accusing him of speeding, seat belt and unsafe lane change violations.

After missing two court dates, Judge Barbara Leak ordered Simmons held on $25,000 bail in June. He spent the night in the Westchester County jail and was released July 1 after posting a $2,500 bond. Later that month, he rejected a plea deal that would have settled the case. Details of that plea offer have not been made public.

On Thursday DMX appeared before City Court Judge Barbara Leak, where he reaffirmed his decision not to accept a plea bargain offered by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in July and reassured the judge that he will appear for a pretrial hearing March 6, 2007.

“You have to be here,” Leak said to DMX before granting defense lawyer Murray Richman’s request that the case be adjourned.

“Yes, ma’am,” DMX replied.

DMX, was seen wearing a long beige T-shirt, with baggy jeans and boots. Around his neck he wore a long chain necklace and dog tags, after yesterday’s five-minute hearing.

“I just want to get this over with as soon as possible,” he said after wishing a reporter a happy new year according to reports. “I’m sure I’m the only individual with $25,000 bail on traffic violations.”

If convicted of the misdemeanor, DMX could face a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.