Has justice been served in the Chris Brown case?
L.A. Now reports that prosecutors have made a plea agreement with R&B singer Chris Brown, who faced a five-year sentence after being accused of assaulting Rihanna shortly before the 2009 Grammy Awards.
Although he has not been formally sentenced, Brown now faces six months of community labor and five years' probation as a part of the deal. He will also be ordered to take a year-long domestic violence prevention class. Judge Patricia Schnegg added that she would be issuing a stay-away order, which would prevent Brown from making contact with Rihanna.
The case began in February, when Brown was arrested after he allegedly beat and threatened Rihanna while driving home from a pre-Grammy party. Since his arrest, Brown's case has received unprecedented media attention. More than 50 media outlets had asked to attend today's proceedings.
Now that the case has come to a close, we want to hear from you. What do you think of the plea agreement? Was justice served or did Chris Brown get off easy?
-- Brendan Bigelow
Photo: Chris Brown is confronted in court with assault charges. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times
No I don't think he got off easy. He is still of prisoner for the next 5 years regardless how you look at. I do however appreciate the mandatory counseling. It will help him deal with issues that he may not know that he has.
Posted by: Brenda | June 22, 2009 at 05:22 PM
NO! He should go to Prison!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fay | June 22, 2009 at 05:31 PM
NO! I don't believe he received a fair deal, but he did what he needed to do to begin to put this behind him and move towards gettin his life back on track. Goodluck Chris with your career and stay away from Rihanna, Im sure she didnt learn to keep her hands to herself, she learned that as long as America
elevates you to "pop princess-dom", you can do no wrong in their eyes.
Posted by: ANTOINETTE | June 22, 2009 at 05:48 PM
If he was anyone other than who he was, he would have gotten off much easier for a first time offense. All things considered, this sentencing, having a police record, and his career being trashed - it seems like justice was served.
Posted by: k's mom | June 22, 2009 at 07:11 PM
If he was anyone other than who he was, he would have gotten off much easier for a first time offense. All things considered, this sentencing, having a police record, and his career being trashed - it seems like justice was served.
Posted by: k's mom | June 22, 2009 at 07:11 PM
i think he got off easy he should have at least went to prison for at least 6 months, i dont care who was right or wrong you never hit a women, chris brown is a coward for doing it i use to like the bloke now i cant stand him
Posted by: micko | June 23, 2009 at 02:46 AM
He should have gotten jail time. What a joke. Instead, his penalty is essentially nothing at all. Instead, how about rewarding him? Give him a new car! California is a joke, with no penalties for any crimes for celebrities.
Posted by: tim | June 23, 2009 at 08:10 AM
I don't think that justice was served, correctly. I truly believe that Rihanna should've testified and got some kind of punishment as well, because she was just as wrong for hitting Chris as well. A man should never put his hands on a woman and vice versa. It works both ways, and I do believe that media has blown it way out of porportion making him seem like the bad guy, and she looks so innocent. I just believe that she hit him over and over and just got fed up and retaliated. I truly believe 5 years probation is a little much for a first time offender, maybe 1 or 2 years seems fair. I just wanted to hear what really happened that night, now we will never no.
Posted by: Still Love You Chris | June 23, 2009 at 08:39 AM
No, not at all! That guy should get beaten too.
Posted by: sir jorge | June 23, 2009 at 09:05 AM
That's a heck of a lot of punishment for a small domestic dispute... but with his career now trashed, I agree he's lost a ton and jail wouldn't make much of a difference. I didn't even know who Chris Brown was before all this happened, and I still don't really care.
Posted by: joe | June 23, 2009 at 02:05 PM
"That's a heck of a lot of punishment for a small domestic dispute..." A small domestic dispute? Are you kidding me. Anyone who has seen the pictures of Rihanna and has heard the whole story knows just how badly he beat and threatened her. While 5 years might have been too much, he definitely should have gotten some jail time. What kind of world is this where batteirng a woman is seen as a petty crime
Posted by: Carolina | June 26, 2009 at 06:02 AM