Singer Chris Brown pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor assault for hitting a fan outside the W Hotel on Oct. 27. According to the Washington Post, prosecutors did not ask for jail time and instead requested that the judge sentence 25-year-old Brown to time served in exchange for the guilty plea.

Brown was accused of punching Parker Adams in the face after Adams tried to join a photo the singer was taking with two female fans. Brown’s bodyguard, 35-year-old Christopher Hollosy, was also accused of hitting Adams during the incident and was found guilty in a separate trial in April. Hollosy, who was supposed to serve as a key witness in Brown’s trial, declined to testify out of concern that his testimony might jeopardize his own appeal.

Judge A. Franklin Burgess Jr. agreed not to order any jail time as part of Brown’s plea deal, stating that Brown has suffered the consequences of what he has done. Brown already served two days in a DC jail after his arrest, as well as three months in a California jail and four months in an anger management rehabilitation center for violating the terms of his probation for the 2009 assault of Brown’s then-girlfriend and pop star Rihanna. As a result of the incident in downtown DC, Brown’s probation was extended until 2015 and he has about 500 community service hours left to complete as part of that sentence. So far, he seems to be doing well, obtaining negative results in his court-mandated, random drug tests from the 2009 assault case. As a result, his testing has been reduced from three times per week to two.

Brown’s guilty plea may end his criminal battle in the District, but the singer’s legal woes are not completely over. Adams has filed a $1.5 million civil suit against Brown and Hollosy. The lawsuit alleges that Adams suffered a fractured nose and other injuries to his face as a result of the incident.

Brown’s admission of guilt in the criminal case will surely hinder his defense in the pending civil case against him. His conviction will also be a factor for prosecutors and judges to consider should Brown once again find himself in legal trouble in the future.

Clearly, there are myriad consequences that can accompany criminal charges in Washington, DC. Fortunately for Brown, the court understood that he had already suffered punishment for his wrongdoing and did not use his celebrity status as an opportunity to make an example of him. If Brown’s criminal case had gone to trial, he could have potentially faced up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Thanks to the word of his criminal defense attorney, Brown was able to work out an acceptable arrangement with the prosecution.

If you are facing assault or other criminal charges in the district, contact an attorney to schedule a free case consultation.