Chris Brown is now a convicted felon.
After striking a plea agreement that keeps him from doing jail time, the popular R&B crooner must perform 180 hours of community labor, attend a domestic-abuse program and serve five years probation.
The felony assault and criminal threat charges stem from an incident between Brown and then-girlfriend Rihanna, which left the Barbados-born singer battered and bruised on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February.
It might seem as if Brown is getting a slap on the wrist, but the Virginia resident isn't quite getting off easy. The charges against the 20-year-old are felony, not misdemeanor. And though, a felon status and Brown's admission of guilt could serve to restrict some of his civil liberties, in the near future, it looks like not going to jail will keep him from having to comply with the tough parolee restrictions.
Although his case was heard in California, Brown is a resident of Virginia, a state that revokes a felon's right to vote.
Most felons in the commonwealth can apply to have their voting rights restored three years after completing their sentence. However, parolees with violent felonies, drug sales and electoral offenses must wait five years before seeking restoration. In Brown's case, he won't be a parolee since he does not have a jail sentence, however, his offense was violent, making it unclear how long he'll have to wait.
"In many respects, his legal outcome is more fitting as a celebrity over that of thousands of black men in their twenties who have to face similar punishment," says David Troutt, a law professor at Rutgers Law School in Newark, N.J.
Troutt, a Harvard-educated author of several publications involving race and justice, including 'The Importance of Being Dangerous,' believes that Brown won't face felony disenfranchisement.
"A lot of felons in a lot of states cannot get a driver's license, and most employers don't want to hire a felon," Troutt said. "So if you come from a poor neighborhood, having experienced little opportunities and go to jail, serve real time and come back into that same community that is bereft of resources, chances are, as a result of your status as an ex-con, you are facing financial circumstances you cannot overcome."
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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According to Troutt , Brown's probation status will still allow him voting rights, the ability to serve on juries, hold public office or "if he wanted to start a foundation, becoming the recipient of a public grant."
Ultimately, Brown's criminal conduct could work to increase his popularity and notoriety. Already, a previously unreleased single, 'Not My Fault,' hit the Web shortly after his plea deal was announced. N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams has said that the material he has produced for Brown's upcoming album, 'Graffiti,' so far is impressive. 
"The fact that he is essentially self-employed, what's available to him are privately made and held opportunities, and he can go outside the system of public scrutiny and punishment and parlay these sorts of things into greater opportunities," Trout added.
Other conditions of Brown's sentence require him to stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna unless the estranged couple are at the same industry event, in which case, Brown is required to keep a distance of 10 feet.
Brown cannot contact the Covergirl spokesmodel at any time during his five-year probationary period.
Only time will tell whether Brown can overcome his trouble with the law and make a career comeback.
Comments: (64)
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/29/2009 10:54AM
Hey, IT IZ WHAT IT IZ? Don't feel sorry at all for what he done. Hopefully he will learn from his mistakes.
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/29/2009 10:55AM
I meant to say, "I don't feel sorry for him at all".
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/29/2009 10:57AM
I meant to say, "I don't feel sorry for him"
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By: kcn9971 on 6/29/2009 12:48PM
I hope his career recieves the same treatment he gave Rihanna... it should be Abused and Bruised!!! Chris Brown is a disgrace because he was apparently affraid to go to jail and get his azz slapped around and beat up(although he did it to Rihanna). His credibility as a "MAN" is tarnished and destroyed; but with those qualifications...He can definitely be a RAP star!!!
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By: RAYMOND on 8/04/2009 6:50PM
I AM NOT IN ANY WAY CHALLENGING YOUR OPINIONS BECAUSE OPINIONS ARE OPINIONS.
BUT WHAT I AM SAYING IS YOU DO NOT WISH EVIL TO HAPPEN TO ANY MAN.WE ARE ALL HUMANS TRUST ME AND KNOW ONE IS PERFECT.EVERYONE HAS THERE OWN ERRORS.
SO MIND YOU BE CAREFUL HOW YOU COMMENT ON SOMEONE'S ELES ERROR.FOR YOU ARE CABABLE TO ACT THE SAME IF NOT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
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By: MICHELLELARRYMJL on 6/29/2009 1:32PM
Well what they are not telling is she also has a restraning order on her to she can't contact Chris Brown either and I think is more to this story then what they are saying.Yeah you tell a man not to hit a woman but it is so easy to say until you are put there everyone is running around throwing their 2cents in it. He is still a young man a blk man at that you see ways that he can get help not bash him.He is the same man not months ago everyone couldn't get enough of people this day will turn on you in a minute. I won't give up on he still seems to be a good kid just got caught up in something bad. Once you learn everybody isn't good for you even if they look good.She has done all the talking and he has something is worng with that. But not for me to say I guess.
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By: lisa on 6/30/2009 9:02PM
All of this Chris Brown bashing is getting on my nerves. He has had his day in court and should be left alone. I will boycott the BET AWARDS until they issue a Chris Brown apology. He is the only reason I watched that farce of a show to begin with. I would much rather have seen Chris perform that both Jay Z and his wife. He acts like he's banging Rhiana. And since when did Al Sharpton become a mouth piece for me and the majority of Black Americans? No one has been surrounded by more scandals than he and everytime you turn around, he's like Don King everywhere!!!!!
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By: Shanice on 6/29/2009 6:19PM
Chris Brown was popular then and nothing should change, everyone liked him then & everyone should like him now even though he had to stand trail aganist rihanna nothing should change with his music career. Now is this thing with Rihanna this B.I.G !!!!
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By: tony quick on 6/29/2009 6:43PM
these white people make me sick they stink like dogs.they villianize chris brown mainly because its
a blsck male.they think they are smarter than god in this wicked perverted ass homosexual soceity they created which is far from perfect.they want rehanna with a punk ass white guy to add to the collection of black people they have already stolen
with brain washing.michael jackson was brain washed
and stolen by these wicked sick devils.
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By: Essence on 7/05/2009 7:37PM
Gosh, Tony Quick you sound angry!!!! But, I understand your anger. Honestly, they can have Rihanna. She sounds white anyway.
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