Dave Chapelle sidekick Donnell Rawlings just got serious.
The stand-up comedian turned down a plea deal from prosecutors Wednesday in which he would have copped to driving while ability impaired — because while it would only be a violation, it would bar him from traveling to Canada.
DWAI is actually a felony in Canada — which could potentially damage Rawlings’ career if he can’t travel there, his lawyer said.
“We turned it down in order to get a better deal,” said defense lawyer Larry Weissmann, who hopes he can work out a bargain in which the Comedy Central star pleads to a lesser offense.
The rejected deal also involved paying a $300 fine, attending a drunk driving program in California and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
Rawlings, 43, who plays character Ashy Larry on “Chapelle’s Show,” was busted last month for allegedly driving drunk after cops spotted him driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Midtown.
He was charged with misdemeanor DWI after blowing a 0.12 on a Breathalyzer, a charge that could carry up to a year in jail. The legal limit is .08.
Rawlings’ license was also suspended for 90 days in New York.
“But I just downloaded the Uber app, so I’m good to go,” he cracked to reporters, referring to the ride-sharing program, after his brief appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The funnyman, who resides in California, looked dapper in a light gray suit, thick-framed glasses and a pink tie.
“Any time I have to put on a suit and it’s not for a wedding or a funeral, there is some concern,” he deadpanned.
But all jokes aside, Rawlings then acknowledged the seriousness of the charges he’s facing.
“This situation isn’t funny, but because of what I do for a living, I have to take dark moments and make them funny,” he said. “I don’t want anybody to think that I’m taking this lightly.”
Rawlings’ next court date is Oct. 15, when he’s not required to appear before a judge, except if there’s a disposition.