KEENE - Former New Hampshire Attorney General Peter Heed on Tuesday pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, New Hampshire State Police said.

Police said Heed was sentenced to a nine-month suspension of his driver's license and a $500 fine. He can petition to have his license returned to him after 90 days if he completes the Impaired Driver Care Management Plan within 14 days of his conviction, police said.

"The sentence Heed received (is) the standard for first time offenders where no extenuating circumstances exist," such as high blood-alcohol content, causing serious injury or an attempt to elude officers, police said in a statement.

Heed was scheduled to be arraigned today, but given his former role as the state's attorney general, "a neutral and detached justice was needed given Heed's familiarity with the surrounding courts," the release said.

Sgt. Shawn Skahan said Judge Lawrence MacLeod was able to hear the case Tuesday.

Heed had been releected Cheshire County attorney in November, after which he announced he was leaving that office to pursue a law practice with a private firm.