Busta Rhymes Gets Probation in NYC
January 23, 2008

Grammy-nominated rapper Busta Rhymes pleaded guilty today to assault, two driving infractions, and weapon possession. It allowed the rapper to avoid trial and the yearlong prison sentence that prosecutors were going for. Busta Rhymes, real name Trevor Smith, had originally pleaded innocent to all charges and was set to go to trial today but he switched gears and pleaded guilty to avoid the possibility of jail time. According to Reuters, Judge Larry Stevens disagreed with prosecutors that Rhymes deserved to spend some time behind bars even after he pleaded guilty. He only sentenced the rapper to three years' probation and only 10 days of community service.

Busta Rhymes got himself in this position for beating a fan after he allegedly spat on his car in August 2006. Busta also is then accused of beating his driver, Larry Hackett later that year. He was also fined $1,250 for driving with a suspended license in 2006 and driving while intoxicated in 2007. Rhymes, dressed in a suit, told Reuters outside the courtroom, "I just want to say that I'm very grateful to the judge, I'm very grateful to the system. I believe in the system. It hasn't failed me personally yet."

Rhymes continued, "I'm just glad that all of this is finally behind me and I can go back to doing what I do best -- making great music and great films and being a people person." Busta Rhymes has to return to court on March 18th for an anti-drunken driving program.

Judge Stevens doesn't think he did anything unfair by giving Busta Rhymes the light sentence. The lawyer for Busta, Scott Leemon, said that Judge Stevens agreed in closed talks that a jail sentence was "out of line with what every other person who comes through court" would get.

Busta Rhymes broke through with The Coming in 1996, which went top ten on the Billboard 200 and number one on the R&B chart on its way to selling a million copies. More platinum albums followed, including 1997's When Disaster Strikes, 1998's Extinction Level Event (Final World Front), 2000's Anarchy, and 2001's Genesis. The career for Busta Rhymes turned a bit with 2002's It Ain't Safe No More, which peaked at #43 and only went Gold. A hiatus helped 2006's The Big Bang to be his first Platinum album in five years. He's expected to release Back on My BS later this year.

For more news about celebrities and their legal problems, check out our stories on Kiefer Sutherland, Roger Avary, and Mischa Barton.