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Chris Brown Sentenced to 5 Years Probation for Beating Rihanna

by Amy Judd | August 25, 2009 at 04:02 pm

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Singer Chris Brown was sentenced to five years probation today for beating his former girlfriend Rihanna earlier this year. He also received six months community labor, and is not allowed to go anywhere near Rihanna for the next five years. He may not come within 100 yards of her at any time, unless they are both attendng music industry events.

Patricia Schnegg, the LA Superior Court Judge who sentenced Brown, said that if he violates any of his terms of sentencing, he will be sent to prison.

The case today dealt with two previous incidents as well between the former couple, before the February beating that was reported around the world; one in Europe when Rihanna slapped Brown during an argument and he then pushed her into a wall. The second being an incident when Chris broke the front and passenger side windows of a Range Rover that the couple were driving while on a trip to Barbados.

Brown will serve his sentence in his home state — Virginia — and his community labor will be overseen by the police chief in Richmond.

The judge said she wanted to ensure that Brown, 20, performs physical labor instead of community service, such as mentoring young people. He will also undergo a year of domestic violence counseling.

Rihanna was not at the sentencing hearing today, but Brown immediately agreed to the terms laid out for his punishment.
The hearing was meant to take place on Thursday, but Mark Geragos, Brown's lawyer, asked for the sentencing to be moved up to today.

"We feel that the sentence for Mr. Brown is an equitable one," said Sandi Gibbons, a district attorney's spokeswoman. "He has his future in his hands. He has control of his fate."

His charge could be reduced to a misdemeanor if he completes his sentence with no problems.

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A. Tran

at 21:06 on August 25th, 2009

He got off rather lightly although anger management and counseling might also be useful. It's unfortunate that some in the public seem to idolize him...

Luciano Galasso

at 06:59 on August 26th, 2009

That's the problem with celebrities. They always just get a slap on the wrist. I wonder what his sentence would have been if he didn't have his voice and dance moves

Luciano Galasso