Fallen 'Idol' wins round in court

TAMPA - Looking fit and confident, Jessica Sierra is back in Tampa with a doctor's report saying she's been clean from drugs and alcohol for a year and half.

The one-time American Idol finalist from Tampa had fallen a long way after drug and assault charges and a brush with prison. A judge ordered her back to rehab and to stay 100 yards away from cameras and microphones after a second arrest; his other offer was prison.

Trying to restart her recording career, Sierra needs those mics and cameras, and Judge Greg Holder agreed with her, since she's been drug-free.

"I could have literally run over there," Sierra said afterwards, "and kissed the judge. I'm so happy."

Sierra says in addition to a new album, she's going to keep reaching out to troubled kids, part of the public service she's been doing for her probation.

"I tell them my story and how drugs affected my life and I hope that it touches somebody and their lives can change because of it."

Sierra says she's signed with a new agent, and her new songs will be about her struggle for recovery. She also says she thanks Judge Dan Perry for ordering her away from the media.

"Originally when he put the media ban on me, I think I was kinda upset, you know," she recalled. "But this past year and a half, being able to really work on myself without the media and stuff, it probably saved my life. The media ban absolutely saved my life."

Sierra says she knows now to avoid the troubles of the past, especially when she's here in Tampa.

"That's my past and I've learned a lot from it and I know what not to do and who not to hang out with and where not to go."

Sierra still has another year and a half of probation, and says she's taking it day by day.