08/26/2009 08:57:59 PM EST

TYT Poll: Was Chris Brown's Sentence Harsh Enough?

posted by AnaKasparian

During today's third hour, Cenk and Ana discussed Chris Brown's sentence for the domestic violence case involving singer Rihanna. The judge sentenced him to 5 years of probation and 6 months of community service. He will not face any jail time.

This leads to our TYT poll question:

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Poll

Should Chris Brown go to jail for beating up Rihanna?
Yes 76%
No 23%

Votes: 77
Results | Other Polls
 Display:
TYT Poll: Was Chris Brown's Sentence Harsh Enough? | 15 comments (15 topical, 0 hidden)
He "only" pushed her? (none / 2)

TYT said that he "only" pushed her (Rihanna) after she slapped him (Brown---and lumpy). So TYT calls it even.

Heh, heh. I know I can do a lot more damage to a woman by "pushing" her than she could ever do slapping me. So, what damage was done to her from this asshole's push? I'd have to know that BEFORE I would ever call it "even."

Just sayin'.

by kurd55 on 08/26/2009 09:33:32 PM EST

I've voted no, but (none / 0)

it's only for one reason: He hasn't been convicted before, and I'm generally thinking that in cases like these, when you don't have really severe violence, a jail sentence on probation is the right thing to motivate the offender to get his tendency towards violence under control, or else.

Nevertheless,  I have my doubts that the settlement made it clear enough to Chris Brown that this is his last chance to avoid serving a sentence. Criminal proceedings are all about drama. This drama shall show the general public that criminal laws are to be taken seriously, or else, and to make an offender correct his behaviour. In a lot of cases of first time offenders, a jail sentence on probation will be sufficient to do this.

But in these cases, the offender generally must see the sword hanging over his head and must realize that this sword will come down when he doesn't comply. Thus I think it would have been adequate if this offender had to serve a short time  behind bars to make him realize that this is serious and that he can't expect to get away like this the next time.

by logischabbaubar on 08/27/2009 07:05:05 AM EST

[ Parent ]
A "No" from a Female Perspective (none / 0)

I guess the typical arguments for a "No" are the fact that this is his first offense.  That's part of the reasons why I voted "no" because if he'd have had past convictions of this, then yeah, he should have definitely received jail time. 

I'd have added a mandatory anger management class, but he enrolled in that, so he might be headed in the right direction as far as learning from his mistakes.  I think he gives more back to the community doing 6 months of physical labor-like community service than just sitting in jail.

Five years of probation is a pretty serious attachment to this.  Having to deal with a probation officer and take extra care not to violate his probation will make him more self aware of his rehabilitation.

Finally, this has done a significant amount of damage to his career and reputation.  And because his probation has been so highly publicized, he would have to take extra care not to give any woman he dates in the future a reason to even *PRETEND* he attacked her.

This brings more public awareness to domestic violence across the country.  Rihanna isn't the only woman out there and Chris Brown shouldn't have to be a scapegoat for all of the men out there who beat on women.  She is a strong woman and she's doing fine.  She's learned a valuable lesson about life and she's been put in the position to reach out to women in similar circumstances.

I think more good came out of this than harm long before Chris Brown was ever sentenced.  Of course, I don't think his sentence is too harsh.  His 6 months of community service is about as much time as I think he needs to really get the message across before the story gets even older than it really is.

I'm sure Rihanna is sick of seeing all of it on the news as well.  Having this drag out any further than six months isn't going to help her put it behind her.

With that being said, I think Chris Brown is a douchebag and I love Rihanna! :)

by Calcobrena on 08/26/2009 11:22:33 PM EST

Something to consider... (none / 0)

Most criminals of every type---sexual predators, thieves, child molesters, et al, commit several offenses before they are caught for the “first time.” I think sexual offenders average about 100 times before they are caught for the first time. I may be wrong on that number, but I DO remember it being a shocking amount!

It’ll be a miracle if Brown-and-lumpy doesn’t smack another woman before too long.

by kurd55 on 08/27/2009 03:21:22 AM EST

[ Parent ]
A normal person would have done jail time (none / 0)
I don't think it's right when celebrities get away with this stuff when "average" people don't. Even if Rihanna didn't want to press charges, the state should have pressed charges and sent him to jail. Just like a normal person would have gotten.

I don't think he learned his lesson. Next time he abuses a woman he'll just make sure there are no visible injuries.

by ilovecenk99 on 08/27/2009 12:03:53 AM EST

A normal person would have done jail time (none / 0)
I don't think it's right when celebrities get away with this stuff when "average" people don't. Even if Rihanna didn't want to press charges, the state should have pressed charges and sent him to jail. Just like a normal person would have gotten.

I don't think he learned his lesson. Next time he abuses a woman he'll just make sure there are no visible injuries.

by ilovecenk99 on 08/27/2009 12:04:21 AM EST

A normal person would have done jail time? (none / 0)
You'd think so, however if he is a first time offender and can muddy the water (e.g. with the "she hit me first" defense) it's probably not all that uncommon for someone to get probation and community service regardless of "fame".

"No, you are a paid blogger assigned to counter anyone that posts something negative about the government or Obama." by Mcamelyne II on 05/17/2011

by Robrob on 08/27/2009 12:10:26 AM EST

[ Parent ]
No "normal" person would get Jail (none / 0)
"After a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction a judge sentences a defendant to a minimum of three years of probation and a 52-week mandatory batterer's program that the defendant has to pay for. The DA's office generally will not seek a fine, but often wants 15 to 30 days jail time as a punishment, which can usually be served through the sheriff's alternative (to jail) work program, SWAP." (http://www.domesticviolenc edefense.com/CriminalProced ures/Punishment.htm) With the current budget issues in CA if he HAD been sentenced to jail time it would have been BECAUSE he is a celebrity.

by siloria on 08/27/2009 12:18:56 AM EST

Still disagree... (none / 0)
Domestic Violence is a category of crime that involves both misdemeanor assault and felony assault. A class I misdemeanor domestic violence assault would also be called "Third degree assault".

Third degree assault is commonly charged in situations involving minor physical altercations that do not involve apparent injury but do involve some degree of physical pain.  Third degree assault is often charged in situations alleged to involve domestic violence, for example when a wife says that her husband hit or pushed her, or vice versa, and it hurt.

In this case of Chris Brown, I disagree. There was definitely injury which would make it a case of felonious assault (albeit domestic) and therefore would definitely involve jail time for the regular bloke.

If a normal guy committed a misdemeanor domestic violence assault (like pushing his wife) but she had no injuries he probably wouldn't get jail time except for the mandatory cooling off period where they would hold him until he saw a judge. However, if beat his wife to the extent that Chris beat Rihanna it would be a case of a felony domestic abuse and he would definitely do time.

Just my opinion.

by ilovecenk99 on 08/27/2009 01:32:18 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Chris Brown may find living 5 years (none / 0)

 

of probation could be very risky business.  Never slap anyone.  Never go into a bar where a fight might break out.  Don't drive your car in traffic, or a fender bender might be enough to set you off; and never ever raise a hand to any woman.  I don't think he'll make it.  How many times will he be tested???  Then it'll be up to the judge not to wimp out like happened so many times with

 

California Celebrity Sentencing Guidelines: Are Judges Getting Lenient?

USLaw

Brats: Hilton, Richie, Lohan


Brat      Sentence     Served     Crime     Judge  Attorney
Paris Hilton 23 days 45 days Reckless Driving,
Probation Violation     Michael T. Sauer     Howard Weitzman    

Nicole Richie     96 hours     92 mins     Misdemeanor DUI     Steven K. Lubell     Shawn Chapman Holley

Lindsay Lohan     1 day     ?     2x UI of cocaine,
2x DUI (> 0.08%),
1x reckless driving     Blair Berk     H. Chester Horn Jr.

Nicole Richie Crime Facts

Dec. 11, 2006, drove black Mercedes-Benz sport utility the wrong way on a Burbank freeway, CHiP found her parked in the car pool lane, she admitted having smoked marijuana and taken Vicodin.

Lindsay Lohan Sentence

In addition to jail time, 10 days of community service, 30 days drug treatment program, 18 month alcohol education program, 36 months probation. Two counts of being under the influence of cocaine, no contest to two counts of driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08% and one count of reckless driving. Two counts of driving under the influence dropped and not charged with felony drug charges because the amount of narcotics found in her pants was less than the standard 0.5 grams.

Lindsay Lohan Crime History

First arrested by Beverly Hills police over the Memorial Day weekend after losing control of her Mercedes SL65 on Sunset Boulevard, jumping curb, crashing into some shrubs, leaving scene to visit Century City Doctors Hospital, car removed to nearby condominium complex where a small amount of cocaine was found inside. Lohan was booked on suspicion of possessing a “usable amount” of cocaine and leaving the scene of an accident, a charge that was not to pursued because she sought medical help. July 24: arrested by Santa Monica police after the mother of one of her assistants reported that she was being chased by the actress in her SUV. Cocaine was found in Lohan’s pocket when she was booked into jail.

Paris Hilton Crime

In September 2006, arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the minimum at which it is illegal to drive in California. Drivers license was suspended in November 2006 and in January 2007 she pled no contest to the alcohol-related reckless driving charge, receiving punishment of 36 months’ probation and fines of $1,500.

On January 15, 2007, pulled over for driving with a suspended license and signed a document acknowledging that she was not permitted to drive. On February 27, 2007 Hilton was caught driving 70 MPH in a 35 MPH zone with a suspended license and without headlights in the dark. Charged for these actions along with the failure to enroll in a court-ordered alcohol education with violating terms of her probation. On May 4, 2007 sentenced to 45 days in jail for violating probation.
 

 

 

by gatekeeper50 on 08/27/2009 12:25:05 AM EST

Domestic Violence (none / 0)
The reality is judges are pretty lenient on this kind of stuff because its so prevalent. Should he get jail time, well yes, if even for just a week or two, but considering how usually everybody gets a slap on the wrist for this kind of thing, the ruling was "just".

Im not for witch hunting and looking for more jail and more punishment for crimes. Nothing gets solved by throwing as many people as you can into a jail for as long as you can get away with, but there has to be a serious consequence  for this kind of thing, like a steep fine or mandatory work.

by Smokin on 08/27/2009 01:39:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I was really glad to read (none / 0)
Thank you for the great post.

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by arabyana on 08/27/2009 07:13:05 PM EST

Did anybody else accidentally vote "no" (none / 0)

The question in the title of the post is "Was Chris Brown's Sentance Harsh Enough?"  So I voted "no," but then I realized that the actual question was about whether he should have gone to jail, to which I would have answered "yes." 

Don't assume people will actually read the post before voting :)

by publius on 08/28/2009 12:30:38 PM EST

I neeeever hit a woman.... (none / 0)

But i'd shake the shit out of her! 

<object width="425" height="344">& lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.yout ube.com/v/S4HEjjiPWuE&h l=en&fs=1&"> ;</param><param name="allowFullScreen& quot; value="true">& lt;/param><param name="allowscriptacces s" value="always"> ;</param><embed src="http://www.youtub e.com/v/S4HEjjiPWuE&hl= en&fs=1&" type="application/x-sh ockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="alw ays" allowfullscreen="true& quot; width="425" height="344">& lt;/embed></object> ;

Seriously I have no idea what happened in this situation and I don't think anyone but those two do, but one thing I do know is that women can be pretty fucking crazy sometimes especially when they know you can't do anything about it.  IMHO the punishment was reasonable in this case.  

by alphasigmookie on 09/01/2009 02:29:34 AM EST

stupid youtube! (none / 0)

Eventually maybe i'll figure out how to embed youtube videos....

For the Chris Rock fans, here's the link

 http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=S4HEjjiPWuE

by alphasigmookie on 09/01/2009 02:30:54 AM EST

[ Parent ]
TYT Poll: Was Chris Brown's Sentence Harsh Enough? | 15 comments (15 topical, 0 hidden)
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