Chris Brown gets no jail time. How shocking!

[Peppergirl]

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?

Good point. Does anyone have some statistics?

It hits rather close to home for me. A friend of my ex-husbands was beat up outside a bar a couple of years ago, hit his head on a curb and DIED and the offenders got off with no jail time. It still disturbs me to this day, so I'm probably not impartial enough to dig up the stats on if their sentences were par-for-the-course.

[blas87]

In all fairness, I do think if he and Rhianna were just nobodies like the rest of us, he'd be in for at least 6 months if not more jail time for this one offense. And then probation and oodles and oodles of community service.

[powerboy]

In all fairness, I do think if he and Rhianna were just nobodies like the rest of us, he'd be in for at least 6 months if not more jail time for this one offense. And then probation and oodles and oodles of community service.

I think that too. Yeah a few celebs does go to jail. But face it, if you are famous- then you are going to get a lighter jail time or get off scott free. I think that asshole Chris Brown should be in jail right this moment.

[Flyndaran]

In all fairness, I do think if he and Rhianna were just nobodies like the rest of us, he'd be in for at least 6 months if not more jail time for this one offense. And then probation and oodles and oodles of community service.

No one gets serious jail time for first time offenses for most crimes in most of the U.S.
I don't know what area you live in, but it must be pretty harsh.

[Flyndaran]

I don't like how many automatically believe the woman in a domestic abuse situation. I know no one here said that, but without witnesses that is the likely outcome of demanding serious jailtime.
I've known too many men abused by female supposed love ones.

[blas87]

Chris Brown was charged with a FELONY. Felonies rarely go without jail time.

A person getting their first DUI does jail time, even if it's a first offence, if we're going to split hairs here.

Are you really going to take it down that road, that he didn't do anything, or that Rhianna drove him to do it? Really? We're going there?

[kibbles]

I don't like how many automatically believe the woman in a domestic abuse situation. I know no one here said that, but without witnesses that is the likely outcome of demanding serious jailtime.
I've known too many men abused by female supposed love ones.

This doesn't necessarily apply to this case, since he did do it; but, I have to say I agree with your statement. Many times people are hollering for jail time before any evidence or anything is in at all.

[Peppergirl]

I don't like how many automatically believe the woman in a domestic abuse situation. I know no one here said that, but without witnesses that is the likely outcome of demanding serious jailtime.
I've known too many men abused by female supposed love ones.

Are you fucking kidding me with this??? What do you mean 'believe the woman'? In this case, she was beaten, choked, and had her head slammed against the window repeatedly. It was just her and him in the car, so what's your point? That there were no witnesses? Are you suggesting she beat herself up? How would you presume she got that way?

If you're referring to other juristictions or cases, yes - I know it's still backwards in many ways, but in this case, I'm referring to the two specific people mentioned. It was obvious Rihanna was beaten badly by Chris Brown. I truly don't understand your point about 'witnesses' in this case. This is the second post in which you've referred to lack of witnesses. I ignored the first one, but since you've said it a second time. I'd really like you to clarify.

For the record, I ALSO know of MANY situations where women are abusive to men, and TRUST ME, I think those women are EVERY BIT AS BIG A PIECE OF SHIT as men who do it, and deserve the same sentences. Domestic violence is an equal opportunity offense, in my eyes.

Oh and ALSO for the record, there's a hell of a difference between 'serious jailtime' and none at all, my friend.

[kibbles]

I can't speak for Flyndaran; but, I didn't see the post as stating meaning "why did they believe Rihanna" or imply that Rihanna was lying. I seen a valid point made that in a lot of cases it's automatic to believe the woman even at the expense of evidence. I think that is a valid point.

[Peppergirl]

I can't speak for Flyndaran; but, I didn't see the post as stating meaning "why did they believe Rihanna" or imply that Rihanna was lying. I seen a valid point made that in a lot of cases it's automatic to believe the woman even at the expense of evidence. I think that is a valid point.

Yes, but I'm talking about THIS case, and twice he's referred to 'no witnesses' and I presume he's speaking about THIS case.

And I agree with you that, in some cases, there are still situations where the woman is believed without factual evidence and it's unfortunate. As I've said in my post, domestic violence is an equal opportunity offense in my eyes. I don't care WHO does the beating. If the burden of proof is truly satified and proven - man or woman, they should go to jail.

But in this case, let's face it - she was beaten badly - and I feel that he should have been punished more harshly than he was. I say that without regard to the fact that he's a celebrity or a male.

People serve minimum jail terms for first offense DUI, and for first time drug posession in many juristictions. How can you beat someone this badly and not serve at least SOME jail time?

[BroomJockey]

Chris Brown was charged with a FELONY. Felonies rarely go without jail time.

It does say directly in the article, "Brown's sentence is comparable to other felony sentences when the defendant has no previous record," and I'm sure CNN would have pointed out if that weren't the case. Also, keep in mind plea bargaining often lowers the penalty in reward for saving the court time in proving your ass guilty.

[kibbles]

I think what Chris Brown got was adequate.

[Peppergirl]

It does say directly in the article, "Brown's sentence is comparable to other felony sentences when the defendant has no previous record," and I'm sure CNN would have pointed out if that weren't the case. Also, keep in mind plea bargaining often lowers the penalty in reward for saving the court time in proving your ass guilty.

Apples and oranges, I know - but how can it be acceptable in our society that it's IMPOSSIBLE (as far as I know), to plead out a first time DUI offense and get away with serving NO jail time, but someone can beat another person this badly and plead it down?

If I'm wrong about the DUI thing I'm sure someone will correct me, but if I'm right, this is a glaring example of how skewed some of these 'mandatory sentences' are.

[BroomJockey]

Apples and oranges, I know - but how can it be acceptable in our society that it's IMPOSSIBLE (as far as I know), to plead out a first time DUI offense and get away with serving NO jail time.

Nowhere that I can find is jail time mandatory for a first offence DUI, unless it's an extreme impairment (2x the legal limit or more). That means, in any case where jail time is assigned, it was the judge's call.

[Peppergirl]

In my state, if you're convicted, you serve a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 days - 180 days. depending on the offense.

It used to be that the 3 days could be served in a treatment facility, but I'm not so sure about that now.

Again, I'm just speaking about my state in particular.