San Diego

The son of former Congressman Lionel Van Deerlin was placed on three years’ probation Monday after he pleaded guilty to auto theft.

Lionel James Van Deerlin, 43, admitted to San Diego Municipal Court Judge Lisa Guy-Schall that he had taken his employer’s car without permission.

Guy-Schall gave Van Deerlin credit for 27 days already spent in County Jail.

The car was reported stolen by attorney Clyde Munsell on June 10. Van Deerlin was staying at Munsell’s North County ranch in exchange for labor.

According to a court record, the former congressman and his wife have obtained a temporary restraining order against their son. A jail interviewer wrote that the son was “not welcome back (at the parents’ Vista home), as his alcohol problem contributes to violence.”

The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and may later be expunged from his record if Van Deerlin passes the California Bar Examination in February.

Guy-Schall also advised Van Deerlin to seek help regarding any possible alcohol-related problems. “I strongly suggest that you take care of those problems in the near future,” the judge said.

She also informed Van Deerlin that the bar examiners would want a full account of the misdemeanor and any actions taken by the district attorney’s office.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jay Coulter said the district attorney’s office has no objections to the lighter sentence and agreed not to protest any attempts made by the defense to have the conviction expunged from the defendant’s record.

He could have received a year in County Jail.

Defense attorney Barry Schear represented Van Deerlin and criticized the news media for reporting the case.