American Idol Laine Hardy could clear arrest record, avoid jail: Here's how

"American Idol" winner Laine Hardy, who could have faced up to 10 years in prison after being accused last year of bugging a former girlfriend's LSU dorm room, could avoid jail time and have his record scrubbed clean as part of a pretrial diversion program.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore told USA Today Network Thursday the decision to offer Hardy a chance to enter the alternative program was done after consultation with the victim and her family.

"We try to consult with every victim to see if they're satisfied with the program conditions," Moore said.

The pretrial diversion program is designed for non-violent offenders. Hardy's arrest a year ago was also his first accused criminal offense.

Hillar said conditions of the diversion program often include community service and behavior counseling. If Hardy completes the conditions for his program, he can petition the court to remove the arrest from his record.

Hardy, 22, was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in April 2022 for violation of 15:1303 — interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication. Penalties can include a fine of up to $10,000 or a prison sentence of two to 10 years.

In the arrest warrant, the student told police she discovered the device on April 7 and did a Google search to discover it was a voice-activated audio recorder.

She told police Hardy admitted to her he placed the bug in her Azalea Hall dorm room.

Hardy, a Louisiana native who lives in Livingston Parish, won American Idol's 2019 crown as a teenager.

Hardy was embraced by fans and his home state elected officials during the American Idol run.

Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed "Laine Hardy Day" when the musician was named an American Idol finalist in 2019. Edwards played host to Hardy at the Governor's Mansion for an event.

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Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser commissioned Hardy to be featured in a tourism marketing campaign for the state.

Hardy was also featured on Louisiana's New Year's Day Tournament of Roses Parade float in 2022.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Here's how American Idol Laine Hardy could clear record, avoid jail