The Walker Blog

Courtesy AP Photo/David J. Phillip; Elsa/Getty Images

NEW YORK – Last night, I was on CNN and we discussed in great depth, the latest developments in the sad saga of Chris Brown and Rihanna.

On Monday, it was announced that Brown took a plea deal and will not spend any time in jail.

He will see 5 years probation, 180 hours of Community Service and some type of restraining order to stay outside of 50 yards of Rihanna, unless they are at an “industry” event, i.e., awards show, etc.

The case has caused great dialogue and debate among me and many of my peers.

Specifically, many of my legal peers and community advocates are outraged that Brown “will only sweep up some trash and pick up litter on public streets….without any time behind bars”.

They feel this is an insult to abused women everywhere and that he got some type of celebrity treatment.

First, as I stated on CNN, let’s not make Chris Brown the face of domestic abuse. He is a young 20-year-old kid who made a horrific mistake, but he is not the guy who has done this all through his life and should be buried underneath the jail.

Chris is a rich, multi-millionaire and immature kid. He should have never put his hands on Rihanna or “fought back” as several reports are stating she was beating him up with a shoe over an alleged mistress.

He should have walked away and he should have kept security with him to avoid this type of behavior.

In any event, I take great exception to my peers and others who think he got off easy or the judge should have “stepped it up.”

As my legal peer and co-panelist Jeffrey Toobin, Esq. eloquently stated, in California’s current fiscal crunch, even if he were given the 5 year maximum sentence, due to their financial restraints, he would be out early anyway.

But, that is besides the point, what good does it do to have this kid sitting behind bars.

There are two things that should happen now and why I wrote this quick blog to offer clarity:

First: Brown should engage the 5 R’s as I call them of being an entertainer or athlete who has made a mistake; and

Second: Brown should announce a tour dedicated to domesticate abuse, as I stated on CNN and Fox this weekend and in my radio show this morning.

Let’s tackle the 5 R’s first.

Brown should have focused on Regret, Remorse, Responsibility and Respect for what he did in order to Rehabilitate himself and his career.

First, RESPONSIBILITY. He must first in no uncertain terms, take Responsibility. He has to state on record, “I Did this, it is wrong and I’m so sorry”.

Which, leads us to the second and third parts: REGRET AND REMORSE.

He must truly show his Regret and Remorse for what has happened and how he plans to repair the problem by speaking out and doing some good deeds in the community to show the level of his regret and remorse.

Fourth, RESPECT. He has to show respect for Women and Rihanna in specific. He must make it clear this is not how you treat women, or your girlfriend.

Finally, if he takes responsibility, shows regret and remorse, respects women, he then has a great chance of Rehabilitating Himself.

So, when I stated on radio and CNN last night that he should do a Domestic Abuse Tour, I sincerely think that in February, he should have announced, I am going to do a 50-city tour, donate thousands of dollars to Domestic Abuse charities and non-profits and go in to high school and urban (and non-urban) centers and speak out on the wrongs with this type of action.

What do you think? And, in the meantime, let’s not make this 20-year-old immature kid, the face of domestic abuse.

James Walker is the Author of This Business of Urban Music and practices law in Stamford, CT at the Law Firm of Walker & Associates (www.walkerandassoc.com).