LATEST: Prosecutors will not file criminal drug charges against the troubled ALLY MCBEAL co-star ROBERT DOWNEY JnR.

Results from a urine test revealed last week (ends13MAY01) that Downey allegedly had cocaine in his system, but the LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S office has decided instead to let Downey's parole officers deal with him.

"He's being handled as a parole violator," says District Attorney spokesman SANDI GIBBONS. "If we pursued the case, he'd get less time than he would on the parole violation. "

The 36-year-old actor checked into a Los Angeles-area drug rehab facility after he was arrested on 24 April (01) on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Because Downey is on parole, prosecutors instead decided to pass the matter on to state corrections officials, who have the option of either keeping the GOLDEN GLOBE-winner in a drug facility or sending him back to prison. (PDD/WNWCYA)

Source: WENN