Chris Brown's Legal Troubles, From Assaulting Rihanna to Now

Beginning in 2009, when he assaulted Rihanna, Chris Brown has repeatedly had run ins with the law.

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Image via Complex Original
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Chris Brown was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after a nearly all day back-and-forth with members of the Los Angeles Police Department outside his home in Tarzana, Calif. The incident generated tons of headlines, and it's far from his only recent legal trouble. In fact, Brown has been in and out of trouble (but mostly in) since 2009, when he infamously assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna, hospitalizing her and kicking off seven years of court battles, police investigations, probation violations, lawsuits, and jail time. The lawsuits range from the frivolous to the quite serious.

Feb. 8, 2009 - Assaults Rihanna before the Grammys.

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In what remains the ugliest, most infamous incident he's perpetrated, Chris Brown assaults Rihanna while the couple is driving to to the 2009 Grammy awards. Rihanna's injuries require hospitalization. Brown turns himself in to the LAPD that same day. Graphic police images of her battered face eventually leak online, causing a national outrage.

 

June 29, 2009 - Pleads guilty to felony assault of Rihanna.

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Several months after the attack, Chris Brown pleads guilty to felony assault against Rihanna. He is sentenced to five years of probation, one year of domestic violence counseling, and six months of community service. He is also served a restraining order against Rihanna. Brown makes the media rounds on an apology tour, appearing on Larry King Live alongside his mother. He vows to turn his life around.

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March 22, 2011 - Breaks window backstage after 'Good Morning America' interview.

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Chris Brown somewhat makes good on his promise to turn over a new leaf, but major cracks begin to show for the first time in 2011. During an appearance on Good Morning America, host Robin Roberts brings up the domestic violence case against him and the continued restraining order filed by Rihanna. Apparently not pleased with the line of questioning, Brown flies into a rage during a commercial break, stripping off his shirt and attempting to throw an object through a window overlooking Times Square. He leaves the building without performing his second song and tweets out that he's tired of people bringing up the past.

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June 13, 2012 - Starts a bottle-throwing fight with Drake at Manhattan nightclub.

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Jan. 28, 2013 - Fights Frank Ocean at L.A. recording studio, is investigated.

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Feb. 6, 2013 - Court denies him an end to his probation.

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June 25, 2013 - Gets into car accident, is charged with hit-and-run.

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After getting into an accident with a woman and reportedly refusing to share valid insurance information with her, Brown is charged with hit-and-run in Los Angeles. He speaks out about the charges on Twitter, claiming the woman thought she would get a big payout because he's famous. 

Oct. 29, 2013 - Checks into rehab for anger management.

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March 14, 2014 - After four months in rehab, is kicked out and sent to jail.

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June 2, 2014 - Serves 108 days in jail, is released.

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Aug. 23, 2014 - Suge Knight shot seven times at Chris Brown-hosted pre-VMA party.

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Sept. 2, 2014 - Pleads guilty in Washington, D.C. assault case.

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Jan. 11, 2015 - Five injured in shooting at concert in San Jose.

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March 20, 2015 - The 2009 assault case against Rihanna closes as his probation period ends.

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May 4, 2015 - Video surfaces that appears to show Brown throat-punch Jeremih.

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July 22, 2015 - Barred from leaving the Philippines after failing to pay a concert promoter.

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Jan. 25, 2016 - Narrowly avoids charges in alleged New Year’s Eve assault in Las Vegas.

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Brown is accused of assault on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas after a woman claims that he punched her in the eye in a Palms Hotel room. She alleges he became enraged after she took a picture of him with her cell phone and assaulted her. Although police investigate the issue, on Jan. 25 they announce that they will not be pursuing charges due to a lack of evidence. Brown speaks out about the accusations shortly afterwards. 

June 23, 2016 - Former manager Mike G brings a lawsuit claiming Brown beat him up.

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June 27, 2016 - Suge Knight brings lawsuit for 2014 shooting.

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July 2, 2016 - Kicked out of Ibiza vacation house after allegedly trashing it.

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Aug. 2, 2016 - Second victim from 1OAK shooting sues.

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