Judge Pirro on Chris Brown's Domestic Violence Case
Chris Brown is a batterer - - pure and simple. The beating of Rihanna last week leaves no doubt about it. Reports are that this delicate 20-year-old was violently beaten by Brown with his fists and that he choked her while threatening to kill her. She reportedly suffered a black eye, contusions on both sides of her forehead, a split lip, a bloody nose and bite marks on her hands. And I would bet my house that it wasn't the first time he beat her.
Domestic violence curses all socioeconomic, ethnic and financial groups. Celebrities are not exempt. I know. I started one of the first domestic violence units in a prosecutors' office in the nation in 1978 when I was a young prosecutor. At the time, people believed such barbarity occurred only in lower socioeconomic classes. That is because those were the only cases we heard about -- where the police were called or the neighbors complained. Those in a higher economic stratum who lived in big homes were beaten and no one heard. They would go to their private physicians, see their therapists (as if they did something wrong), and deal with their grief in the quiet of their own homes. Makeup and turtlenecks were their cover.
But for the fact that this beating occurred in public we might not have heard about it. Because of this simple fact Chris Brown will not be able to get away with violence against his victim. Had this not occurred in public (albeit in a car) I can guarantee you that the next beating would have been worse. Violence increases in intensity and frequency as time goes on. If you've overlooked a push or a slap, it will likely happen again and be even worse. With sadness, I can say there were times when, as District Attorney, my staff and I felt a homicide would inevitably happen. And while I'm at it, Rihanna's publicist's absurd statement, "Rihanna is well. Thank you for your support" was disturbing at best. Talk about trying to sweep this event under the rug! When a suggestion is made that domestic violence did not happen, it does nothing more than empower the abuser and send a message that others who are beaten should hide in the shadows.
The only question that remains is whether Brown will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Although he could ultimately face charges for both felony domestic battery and criminal threats, Los Angeles prosecutors have sent the case back to the police for further investigation citing insufficient evidence on the original criminal threats charge. My concern is that Brown will get away with it. It was reported that Brown actually had the unmitigated gall to say in his first released statement after the crime on his facebook: "You'll begin to see her true colors. Believe it!" Only a coward would blame his victim.
Predictably, after one week, Chris Brown has said he's "sorry'" HOGWASH!!!!! He's only sorry that he got caught; that he couldn't sing at the Grammy's; that he's been arrested and can go to jail; that he's lost endorsements; that Jay Z, his victim's mentor, will ostracize him in the music industry, if not worse. Hopefully Rihanna will not only refuse his pleas of forgiveness but will demand justice by example -- not just for herself, but for every other battered woman who suffers the same fate in silence. Many times the victim gives the abuser "another chance," choosing to minimize the horror in her life. Hope springs eternal but reality contradicts this wishful thinking. And if Rihanna chooses not to go forward with the prosecution of this batterer, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office should do what I did 30 years ago --remind Rihanna that she is a witness for the prosecution and that the case is not being brought in her name, but in the name of the people of the state of California. It's not her call.
Rihanna is in a unique, and yes, powerful position to lead by example.
The opinions expressed in Jeanine's Journal belong solely to Jeanine Pirro, and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of the series' producers, AND Syndicated Productions, Inc., its parents and successors, employees, officers, agents, directors, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and assigns. Producers are not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by Ms. Pirro. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney in your area.
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i think that chris brown should of been put in jail for life because he broke rihannas tooth and gave her a black eye and hes still proud of it and ya know he can not say hes not proud of it becaUSE I SEEN IT MYSELF AND he was laughing the whole time he was fighting her i dont know what cases he had got charged for your honor but he really should have been a cused of demestic violents your honor i am crying because i lov chris brown with all my heart but also i am on rihanna side your honor and i really need to get to bed for work in the morning so bye and happy christmas eve lolololoololololololololololololol bye
love autumn bonilla
Just a word of warning to anyone one going through this that calls a d.v. hot line when your done dial another number. I call yesterday.Later when he was in the shower i hit redial thinking my friend was the last person i called. I was horrified to hear NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE.good thing it was me who did it and not him God Bless
Judge Pirro, could you possibly post on your site just how the shelters work. What if you have no money,no education,no job,car blown up.Nothing to give back once you get there.How long can you stay.Can they help stop the tremendous urges to go back after the blood dries and the bruises heal.
I have an issue with people that have committed DV (domestic violence) as a survivor of DV; I have a real dislike for people who stoop so low as to commit DV. My daughter is now a victim of DV her husband at the time was on probation for DUI, when he hurt her, then broke the window out of the car that she was in, then involved in a high speed chase thru town to stop her from going to the police. What is wrong with this picture? He was arrested for all the previous actions, Went to jail, bonded out, went to court; put on probation again, also has a restraining order to stay away from her. Does this get him revoked from the DUI probation? NO!!!! Wait it gets better, Then he decides that the restraining order does not apply to him he contacts her by texting, and going to her job. Another arrest, bond, court date, and plea offer. Takes plea, goes to jail for 10 (yes ten) days. Gets out violates restraining order again, arrested, etc. He then get out, he does it AGAIN! Another arrest warrant, why can’t the probation dept. revoke his probation and put him in jail to serve not only the DUI, now the DV? I really would like to know.
Sharon
BV, CO.
Thank you JudgeJeanine Pirro!
You most certainly said a mouthful! I am a Domestic Abuse Survivor, and I have three daughters, and I never want them to experience what I have experienced at the hands of their father. It scarred me for life, and I do not look at people or the world the same any more. I don't trust men, (I am not gay ), and I am very non trusting of them being in my personal space. I talk k to my daughters everyday about this same subject; I give them everything, (my wisdom and experiences), in hopes that they will take what they need, and store the rest until they need it; hopefully never! I talk frankly to them, so that they won't allow themselves to let any man abuse them in any way, and if they see it coming, get away, press charges. I say to anyone who is going through; "Please, do not let these messed up, broken people, make their problems your problem". "You are somebody, and you deserve to be free of violence in your life; This is not your fault"! Don't let anyone with this type of problem, "Batterers" make you feel that somehow, it's your fault, and that you don't deserve better. This is a lie that these people tell themselves to justify their actions.
Keep up the good work.
It is ashame that everyone thinks that the only solution to this problem is to lock this young man up. No the answer is to get both of these young people the help that they deserve. Stop it people at the end of the day ask yourself what if this was your children would you feel the same way? Hell is the answer so why don't you all make sure that your home is taken care of; and spend this time talking to your sons and daughters. And that is real talk. Understand that these people are human beings not your children's role models.
Dear Judge Pirro,
I watched you last night on Larry King Shaw for the first time in my life (but not for the last time). It was a very empowering experience. You made it very clear that what C.Brown did was a CRIME and not some sort of "situation" that should be "studied" from many different angles.
Too often women suffer in silence while "the system" is busy "analysing" all "the aspects of abuse"...as if there were many.
Rihanna's black eye, split lip,and a bloody nose are the things that they should focus on.
The crime has been commited and he should pay for it whether she wants it or not. It is up to our society (as represented by the legal system), not to an individual,battered woman, to reinforce our standards of acceptable behavior.
To Judge Jeanine Pirro, first I watch you on TV Thursday 5th on EXTRA and then on Larry King. Friday morning I always listen to Fox News so "American Newsroom”, then at 11AM with “Mike
And Juliet” also out came you and Judge Alex. Judge you have a wealth of knowledge on most everything. Now to the business of Rihanna dropping the charges on Chris Brown beating her. She so young and he need to be punished and do time in prison and counseling. He is an abuser and it will happen again.
Judge Pirro, I work full time, attend school full time and still manage to watch your show on a regular basis. I appreciate your insight into this unfortunate situation. The rumors of these two reuniting and possibly marrying are disturbing at best and I hope they are untrue.
I am also concerned not just Rihanna's personal life but her professional life as well. If she demonstrates that she allows this treatment of herself, she is likely to lose her endorsements as well as this is not the strong female image that most advertisers are seeking.
I also have one piece of advice for any women out there who may be going through abuse or haven't yet but may one day: don't allow it. The first time or next time a man puts his hands on you in a violent way, follow through all the way through the court system. After this experience, he will think long and hard before putting his hands on you or anyone else. I know it will be hard but don't answer the phone when he calls from the holding cell, don't answer the phone when he calls from jail, don't bail him out of jail, don't allow him back into your home before the court date (because you probably won't follow through with going to court) and most importantly do show up to court when you get the notice and be verbal. You will only stop any future abuse by addressing the past abuse.
To Judge Jeanine Pirro: I'm so glad that you came out to speak and to give your opinion regarding the case of Rihanna and Chris Brown. I'm hoping the reports of them getting back together are just rumors, but I'm afraid Rihanna may not be strong enough to do the right thing. She really did have a perfect opportunity here to not only stand up for herself, but to show all her young girl fans that it is not all right for your man to put his hands on you. It would require alot of self-respect and strength on her part to publicly denounce Chris Brown as her boyfriend, as well as his actions against her. And so far, we're not seeing that. Our only hope is that he will be prosecuted and punished, regardless of Rihanna's actions. Thanks again, Your Honor, for your opinions on this very hot topic.
Judge J.Pirro,Rihanna has drop charges against
Chris Brown. What a mistake,the next time it
will be worst.I read on google that her mother
wanted her to press charges,but her father said
that they will work it out. Don't believe it
I agree with you 100%.
PS Saw you on the Today Show this morning.
Keep your Journal coming.
I hope they be able to find him regardless of how well he sings. Abuse from a man to a woman is a coward way of cant handling the situation, or he just dont care.
Abuse is a serious crime and I feel they need to take it more seriously and not let it go.
The system sucks when people are being abused especially when a man does the beating on a woman.
hello judge Jeanine Pirro,
Iam a sixteen year old student of Bishop Anstey High School East in Trinidad.I watch your program everyday, and one day i aspire to be a lawyer then a judge just like you.to be fair in my decision making and to treat everyone of different races equally.Hope you continue doing a great job.
My complaint is that there appears to be two systems- one for celebrities and one for regular people. There is automatically more attention because a celebrity is involved and since they can afford to pay more for attorneys they seem to get much lighter punishments (if any). I hope this case is not swept under the carpet.
Hello Jeanine Pirro. I would like to start off by telling you that I am a big fan. But I also have one puestion. So i am 17 years old and this guy that is about 4 years older than me took adavantage me and it scared me to death. I dont know what to do because i can't talk to anybody about it, and I know you have seen or heard about things happening like this.
The D.A.'s office needs to step up and make this Jackball an example! It sucks that because you have money you can get away with this crap. The chick needs to step up too and speak out against this type of behavior.
I hope they be able to find him regardless of how well he sings. Abuse from a man to a woman is a coward way of cant handling the situation, or he just dont care.
Abuse is a serious crime and I feel they need to take it more seriously and not let it go.
The system sucks when people are being abused especially when a man does the beating on a woman.