SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — “Jersey Shore” cast member Deena Cortese got a costly reminder Tuesday of a lesson parents tell their children: Make sure you stay on the sidewalk.

And just to underscore that point, she got a talking-to from her mother outside municipal court, where Cortese had just pleaded guilty to failing to use the sidewalk and paid a $106 fine.

“He doesn’t want to see you in that courtroom again,” Deena’s mom, Joann Cortese, said, referring to the judge who had imposed the fine. Then they hugged and kissed goodbye – on the sidewalk.

“Love you,” her mom said.

“Love you, too,” Deena replied.

The pint-sized reality star also had to pay $33 in court costs but avoided a criminal conviction by pleading guilty to a violation of the motor vehicle code.

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Police arrested her June 10, saying she was dancing in a roadway and interfering with the flow of traffic. But municipal prosecutor Kim Pascarella said the prosecution did not have enough evidence to prove that charge, agreeing instead to allow her to plead guilty to the lesser offense of not using a sidewalk when one was provided.

“I’m sorry if I caused any trouble,” Cortese said, standing before the same bench where co-star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi pleaded guilty to disturbing other beachgoers in 2010.

Municipal Court Judge Dan Sahin gently rebuked Cortese for diverting police officers from more pressing concerns.

“Ms. Cortese, please keep in mind you’re taking police officers away from a job they have to do,” the judge said. Responding to the call, investigating, arresting her and bringing her back to police headquarters all took valuable time that could have better been spent serving others who needed help, he added.

“The officers here are not the New York City Police Department; we’re not 1,000-strong,” Sahin said. “They’ve got a tough job to do.”

The judge also chided Cortese for endangering herself and others by her conduct.

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Cortese hugged her mother and wiped away a few tears as she waited in line with her lawyer, Michael Pappa, to pay the fine at the court clerk’s window.

Cover of new J.K. Rowling book unveiled

LONDON — Publishers have released the cover of the J.K. Rowling novel set for worldwide release in September.

“The Casual Vacancy” will be the Harry Potter author’s first offering aimed primarily at adults.

The novel is set in the fictional English town of Pagford and deals with the unexplained death of a village resident.

The cover released Tuesday is mostly red with a yellow border, and shows what looks like an “X” marking a box.

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Little, Brown Book Group says film and stage actor Tom Hollander will record the audio version of the book.

Rowling’s series about Potter, the boy wizard, made her one of the most successful authors in the world.

Holy Vermont, Batman, is that Sen. Leahy?

MONTPELIER, Vt. — U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont is renewing his fascination with Batman with a cameo appearance in “The Dark Knight Rises,” which will get its first public showing in his home state.

Leahy was invited to be in the movie and says he learned recently he’ll appear in a scene with Christian Bale, who plays Batman, and Morgan Freeman.

The movie will be screened July 15 in Williston ahead of its July 20 U.S. premiere.

The Democratic senator has had a lifelong fascination with the Caped Crusader. In 2007, he appeared in “The Dark Knight.”

The Vermont showing will benefit a Montpelier children’s library and a Burlington environmental education center named for Leahy.


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