Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers Director Richard Masten won't go to jail after a judge gave him probation Thursday for stuffing an anonymous tip in his mouth in court.
Judge Victoria Brennan also ordered Masten to write a memorandum saying he understands the law about anonymous tips.
"I'll go dust off the books and I'll write my essay," Masten said after Thursday's hearing. "I have a clear understanding of the law."
Masten made national headlines after he was given a contempt of court charge for eating the tip related to a cocaine possession case. Instead, he stuffed the paper containing the tip into his mouth while sitting in court.
He had been facing up to two weeks in jail for the act, but Brennan said it wasn't necessary.
"To put him in jail for 14 days isn't gonna educate him," she said, while describing his "contemptuous behavior" as "aggravated."
Masten said he had been prepared to go to jail Thursday, and had even packed a toothbrush just in case.
Masten's probation will end after he reads the memorandum before the judge during his next court date, scheduled for April 14.
