Instead of preliminary hearing yesterday, Kimberly Steele plead out on both cases

Yesterday a preliminary hearing was scheduled, in one the cases where she was charged with possession of a narcotic controlled substance and taking vehicle without owner's consent. In the other case, the charges were driving with a suspended/revoked license. possession of controlled substance and possession of narcotic controlled substance.

Steel admitted to a deferred entry of judgement in Courtroom 1. Judge John Feeney accepted her plea.

The PC 1000 is listed in the court system as a program that Steele has been referred to as part of her plea deal. Next court date is a judgement of review on November 10 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 4. And a future date of January 1, 2017 has been scheduled.

Penal Code 1000 PC -- California's deferred entry of judgment ("DEJ") program -- allows just such an alternative.  It's a drug diversion that allows eligible defendants to be "diverted" out of the criminal court system and into a drug rehabilitation program.

From DA Maggie Fleming: 

"n July 16 in a matter not related to the homicide case Ms Steele pled to possession of a controlled substance, heroin, which is classified as a misdemeanor.  She has been referred as part of Penal Code section 1000 to a treatment program and is to return to court on November 10, 2015 for review."