How 'Idol' helped erase Jacob Lusk's rap sheet

American Idol contestants are no stranger to the long arm of the law. Just ask also-rans Stephanie Edwards and Chikezi Eze and the current season's Stefano Langone.

Now we can add finalist Jacob Lusk to the mix.

MORE: American Idol Elimination: Another Big Upset

E! News has learned Langone's rival got into trouble when back in February 2009, when he was arrested for riding on an L.A. Metro train without purchasing a ticket. He later failed to show up for his court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest in April 2009.

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He finally appeared in court last November. The warrant was recalled, he pleaded no contest and was convicted of misdemeanor count of evasion of fare.

According to a court spokeswoman, he was immediately sentenced, receiving three days of credit for jail (so he never actually did time). He also was ordered to fork over $100 restitution and was put on probation for two years.

Now here's where "A.I." comes in...

The aspiring singer did his time and paid his fine, but he ended up going back to the judge begging to have his probation rescinded. His reason? "Idol" producers would never let Lusk compete on the show if he was still on probation. Lucky for him, the judge was sympathetic and ended his probation.

"The probation was terminated," confirms a court spokeswoman, with the move coming just before his "Idol" audition.

Guess "A.I." does have its privileges on occasion.

Since then, the Compton native has won the admiration of "Idol" judge Randy Jackson for a number of renditions, but he was one of the bottom three that saw Pia Toscano unexpectedly eliminated last week.

Watch Stefano Croons to Idol Audience