Chris Brown Pleads Guilty, Avoids Jail

The Chris Brown and Rihanna saga has finally come to a close - at least this chapter. Prior to a preliminary hearing, Chris Brown entered a guilty plea to a felony charge and received 5 years supervised probation and 6 months of community service. The plea ensured that Brown would avoid jail time and also allows him to attempt to get his career back on track.

The judge also issued a "stay away" order that applies to both Brown and Rihanna. They are not allowed to be within 50 yards of one another, except at awards shows and other official entertainment events - where they can be within 10 yards of one another.

The judge commended Brown for pleading guilty and acknowledging his crime, which some may have misinterpreted. The judge wasn't excusing Brown's actions, but simply noting that his plea will make the process much simpler, while also admitting that he, in fact, was guilty of the charges against him. Brown was by no means found innocent, although many will interpret the lack of jail time as him being exonerated of all charges.

Now that the legal proceedings have all but come to a close, the paparazzi will be on red alert to try to capture the two together, which will now represent a violation of their "stay away" orders.