Chris Brown gets no jail time. How shocking!

[Peppergirl]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Musi...brown.hearing/

I'm disgusted, but not surprised.

Can't wait to read the impending comments, some of which will be defending him, im sure.

C'mon, bring it.

[kibbles]

Not going to defend him; but, from what I read this is standard sentencing for a first time offender (even one who isn't a celebrity).

[Peppergirl]

Not going to defend him; but, from what I read this is standard sentencing for a first time offender (even one who isn't a celebrity).

In certain juristictions, that's true. Seems 'par for the course' in Hollywood.

I guess I'm asking if the punishment suited the crime, in everyone's opinion.

[kibbles]

I think as a first time offence it suits, his community service should be served helping abuse victims etc IMO.

[Peppergirl]

Interesting.

So, because he has no record and it's his first offense (that we know of), it's okay that he got no jail time for repeatedly punching, biting, and nearly choking her into unconciousness?

I respectfully disagree.

I am further disturbed that Rhianna was advised of the deal and approved it. I'm torn on that point. I'm sure she didn't want to testify and wants to forget the situation and move on with her life, but I have to say if I was in her shoes, there's no way I would have approved no jail time.

I know it's akin to comparing apples and oranges, since I'm not a celebrity (far from it ), but I'd not let it drop that easily.

[blas87]

Celebrity or not, if any guy ever did that to me, I would not breathe, eat or sleep until that guy was rotting for at least a few months in jail.

And I'm sure none of my friends or family members would let that scum roll around scott-free with just community service after doing something like that.

[guywithashovel]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Musi...brown.hearing/
Can't wait to read the impending comments, some of which will be defending him, im sure.

Were you being sarcastic here? Or did you really mean this? If not, what inclines you to feel this way? Have the members here defended people like him before?

[Peppergirl]

Were you being sarcastic here? Or did you really mean this? If not, what inclines you to feel this way? Have the members here defended people like him before?

I was mainly referring to the 'he's paid his debt to society' types. Which, of course, he has now. But the basis for that tends to be a bit skewed in Hollywood, IMO.

My sarcasm aside, I'm wondering if people think he got off light, or was given a fair deal in light of Rhianna supposedly 'approving' the sentence.

[Boozy]

He got a fair sentence if you compare it to other, non-celebrity sentences: Those given for the same crimes committed by people with the same criminal history (no previous offenses).

I don't think there's any evidence of special celebrity treatment here.

I don't know if it's fair in general or not. I'm inclined to think that domestic abuse should be taken more seriously. Something to think about: If he'd beat the shit out of some random guy in a bar, would he serve time then?

[BroomJockey]

I'm wondering if people think he got off light, or was given a fair deal in light of Rhianna supposedly 'approving' the sentence.

Seems in line with sentencing practises in Canada.

Keep in mind, probation means if he breaks the terms of that probation, he goes to jail for the rest of the time that a sentence would have been. Still a chance for him to wind up in the clink.

What I'm interested in is why you feel jail is a harsher punishment than the equivalent amount of community service. After all, 1400 hours, spread out over his free time will take a long time to fill. Yes, beating up someone is wrong, but considering the constant over-crowding issues in prisons (remember how quickly Paris Hilton was kicked to the curb, when she went in?), why not issue a sentence that will actually be filled, and for a first time offender? If he had a history of smacking people around, then by all means, keep the community safe from him. But I doubt he's going to go out and smack her around again, since she's not likely to let him anywhere near her.

[blas87]

Maybe in Canada, Broom, but in the US, it depends on in what way you violated your probation. For more minor offenses, you just sit a few days or weeks in jail. For more serious offenses, you get revoked....and you will spend the rest of your probation in jail.

If, for example, Chris Brown is not allowed to drink alcohol for his probation, but gets caught at a bar, he'll only have to sit until his probation officer lets him out and he'll get a court date and some fines. Actually, being a celebrity, probably not even that. If he were to beat the crap out of another girl, then he'd probably be doing some jail time.

[AdminAssistant]

According to the View, which I'll readily admit is not the most reliable source of information, they have a mutual restraining order. Brown is not allowed to approach Rhianna, and if he does, it's an instant 5 year sentence. However, the judge also told Rhianna to stay away from Brown. It makes sense, actually. How many women go back to men who abuse them?

[AFPheonix]

I can't find it now, but I was reading an article that stated he'd have to serve 4 years in prison if he violated his probation.
While what he did was reprehensible, I think the judge was right by sentencing him to what others in his situation would be sentenced with.

[Peppergirl]

I can't find it now, but I was reading an article that stated he'd have to serve 4 years in prison if he violated his probation.
While what he did was reprehensible, I think the judge was right by sentencing him to what others in his situation would be sentenced with.

I'd be willing to concede that point. I think ANYONE who did what he did should serve time, first offense or not. The fact that his sentence is probably similar to what an average first time woman-beater (non celeb) would get speaks volumes about our justice system as a whole.

[Flyndaran]

Every physical alteration should involve jailtime? That seems excessive unless someone's suggesting a sexist anyone hitting a woman should be punished more severely idea.
Also how would these situations not fall into one person's word against another since I don't think this incident had many witnesses?