Chris Brown's Legal Issues: A Complete Timeline of His Controversies and Disputes.
Chris Brown has been at the centre of numerous legal issues and controversies throughout his career. While the 2009 domestic violence incident involving then-girlfriend Rihanna is perhaps the most infamous of his legal battles, a string of additional allegations and charges have followed the singer in the years since.
In July 2024, Brown's legal woes took another turn with multiple new assault allegations. Four concertgoers filed a lawsuit claiming that Brown and members of his entourage assaulted them backstage after a performance. The men sought $50 million in damages from Brown and Live Nation. At the time, representatives for both Brown and Live Nation declined to comment on the matter.
Later in 2024, a documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence aired, featuring several women who spoke about alleged abuse at the hands of the singer. Among the claims was an allegation from a woman identified as Jane Doe, who accused Brown of raping her on Sean "Diddy" Combs’ yacht in 2020. Brown's attorneys denied these allegations. In response, on January 21, 2025, Brown filed a $500 million lawsuit against Warner Bros., accusing the documentary of falsely portraying him as a “serial rapist” and “sexual abuser.”
Here is a complete history of Chris Brown's legal troubles from 2009-2025
February 8, 2009: Chris Brown Assaults Rihanna
The most widely recognised of Brown's legal issues occurred when he physically assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna following an argument. Rihanna was left with visible injuries and required hospitalisation. Brown was charged with felony assault and criminal threats on March 5, 2009. He pleaded guilty on June 22 of that year and accepted a plea deal involving community labour, five years’ probation, and domestic violence counselling. After completing the yearlong course in 2010, Brown posted a now-deleted tweet on X, stating, “I have enough self-respect and decency to be proud of accomplishing this DV class. Boyz run from [their] mistakes. Men learn from them!!!”
June 2010: Chris Brown Denied UK Visa
Brown's attempt to tour the UK and Ireland was thwarted when he was denied a visa due to the assault on Rihanna. The UK Home Office issued a statement that they reserved the right to refuse entry to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offence, citing public safety concerns.
March 22, 2011: Chris Brown’s Meltdown on Good Morning America
After an interview where he was questioned about the Rihanna assault, Brown allegedly had a meltdown backstage on Good Morning America. He reportedly threw a chair at a window, confronting production staff before storming out of the building shirtless.
June 14, 2012: New York City Nightclub Brawl
Brown became involved in a nightclub altercation in New York City, which saw eight people injured. The brawl also involved rapper Drake and NBA star Tony Parker, among others. Brown later released a diss track aimed at Drake, although the two later appeared together in a comedic skit at the 2014 ESPY Awards, suggesting they had reconciled.
October-November 2012: Restraining Order Violation
In an incident reported by Billboard, Brown attended a Halloween party where Rihanna was also present, allegedly violating the restraining order placed against him after the assault.
January 2013: Brown Clashes with Frank Ocean
Brown and his entourage became involved in a confrontation with Frank Ocean outside a West Hollywood recording studio, reportedly over a parking dispute. Ocean alleged that Brown punched him and threatened to shoot him. However, Ocean declined to press charges.
July 2013: Probation Revoked
Brown’s probation was revoked after his involvement in an alleged hit-and-run in LA, alongside concerns regarding the validity of his community service hours. The hit-and-run charges were dropped, but Brown was ordered to serve an additional 1,000 hours of community service.
October 27, 2013: Felony Assault Arrest in Washington, D.C.
Brown was arrested for felony assault following a physical altercation outside the W Hotel in Washington, D.C. His bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, was also charged. The charges were later reduced to misdemeanours, and both men were released without bail.
October-November 2013: Rehab Stay and Violent Behaviour
Brown entered rehab voluntarily, but he was kicked out in November for violent behaviour. He later entered a live-in anger management facility for three months.
February 2014: Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and PTSD
While in rehab, Brown was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. A judge ordered an extended stay in rehab, where doctors noted significant progress in his behaviour.
March 14, 2014: Expelled from Malibu Rehab Facility
Brown was kicked out of a Malibu treatment facility for violating internal rules and was subsequently sent to jail.
May 9, 2014: Jail Sentence for Probation Violation
Brown was sentenced to 131 days in jail for violating his probation, although he was granted early release in June.
September 2, 2014: Pleads Guilty to Assault
Brown pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from the 2013 incident in Washington, D.C. He was sentenced to time served, having spent two days in jail.
January 15, 2015: Probation Revoked Again
Brown's probation was revoked after it was revealed he travelled outside Los Angeles County without prior consent for a performance in San Jose, California. This event led to a shooting incident in which five people were injured.
February 24, 2015: Banned from Canada
Brown confirmed he was denied entry to Canada due to his criminal record just hours before a scheduled performance in Toronto.
May 5, 2015: Alleged Battery in Las Vegas
Brown was briefly involved in a battery case in Las Vegas, where a man alleged the singer hit him after a dispute over a basketball game. Brown denied the accusation, and the man chose not to press charges.
July 24, 2015: Detained in the Philippines
Brown was detained in the Philippines due to a fraud investigation following the cancellation of a 2014 New Year's Eve concert. He was eventually cleared and allowed to leave the country.
December 2015: Tour Cancellation
Brown cancelled his upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand after being warned by Australian officials that his visa would be denied because of his criminal history.
January 2, 2016: Police Investigation in Las Vegas
Brown was investigated by police in Las Vegas after a woman accused him of assault and stealing her cell phone during a party at the Palms Casino Resort. Brown’s representative denied the claims.
June 2016: Ex-Manager Files Lawsuit
Brown’s former manager, Michael Guirguis (Mike G), sued the singer for an alleged attack that occurred in May 2016. The case was settled out of court in 2019.
August 2016: Arrested on Assault Charges
Brown was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following a standoff at his Los Angeles home. Charges were never filed.
April 2017: Alleged Photographers’ Assault
Brown was accused of "sucker punching" a photographer at a club in Tampa, Florida, though no charges were filed. The case was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
June 2017: Restraining Order from Ex-Girlfriend
A judge granted Brown's ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, a five-year restraining order after she claimed Brown had sent her violent threats and assaulted her in the past.
May 2018: Lawsuit for Sexual Assault
An unnamed woman filed a lawsuit against Brown, claiming she was sexually assaulted at his home during a party in 2017. The case was settled out of court in 2020.
December 2018: Restricted Species Charge
Brown faced charges for illegally possessing a capuchin monkey without a permit. The charges were eventually dropped after Brown agreed to forfeit the monkey and pay for its care.
January 2019: Detained in Paris
Brown was briefly detained in Paris on allegations of rape and drug charges, though the case was later dropped, and Brown filed a defamation lawsuit against the accuser.
June 18, 2021: Alleged Assault at Home
Police responded to a report of a woman being struck at Brown’s home, though he was not present when they arrived. A crime report was filed.
January 27, 2022: Chris Brown is sued by woman claiming he raped and drugged her in Miami
A woman identified as "Jane Doe" filed a $20 million lawsuit against Brown, alleging that he drugged and raped her on Dec. 30, 2020, on a yacht in Miami. The woman also detailed two subsequent alleged encounters with Brown, including an instance in August 2021 when she claimed Brown became "irate" after she did not respond to his sexual advances.
Brown addressed the lawsuit on Instagram Stories, saying, "Whenever I'm releasing music or projects, 'THEY' try to pull some real bulls---."
By March 2022, Radar Online reported that Doe's lawyers dropped the case after months of text messages between Brown and Doe were shared by Miami Beach police, showing Doe repeatedly asking to see him again.
In August 2022, the case was dismissed by a judge due to "lack of prosecution."
February 2023: Chris Brown is sued for allegedly beating up man at London nightclub
A man named Abe Diaw filed a lawsuit against Brown, claiming that he was struck in the face with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila at London’s TAPE nightclub. Diaw alleged that Brown beat him unconscious and stomped on him for 30 seconds.
Diaw sought $16 million in damages, and the case continues despite a motion to strike part of the allegations being denied in April 2024.
February 27, 2024: Chris Brown is ordered to fulfil payments on more than $2 million unpaid bank loan
In 2018, Brown and other investors took out a loan to open Popeyes Chicken franchises. In September 2023, City National Bank sued for over $2 million in unpaid principal and interest.
On Feb. 27, 2024, a court in California confirmed a judgment ordering Brown to personally pay $1,314,367.40.
By March 2024, Brown had not paid off the loan, and assets were at risk of being seized.
July 21, 2024: Chris Brown is sued for $50 million for allegedly assaulting four concertgoers
A lawsuit was filed against Brown and his entourage for the alleged assault of four men backstage at a concert in Fort Worth, Texas. The men claimed they were attacked with chairs and beaten.
Additionally, Frederick R. Overpeck, a security staff member, sued Brown and his entourage for $15 million, claiming injuries sustained while intervening during the assault.
October 27, 2024: Woman accuses Chris Brown of raping her on Diddy’s yacht
In the documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence, an anonymous woman known as Jane Doe claimed Brown raped her on Diddy’s yacht in 2020. She described being handed drinks and feeling disoriented before allegedly being taken to a bedroom where Brown forced her into sex.
Brown's legal team called the allegations "fabricated" and denied the claims. A similar case had been dismissed in 2022 for "lack of prosecution."
January 21, 2025: Chris Brown sues Warner Bros. for $500 million over documentary
Brown filed a $500 million lawsuit against Warner Bros., Ample, and the producers of the documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence, accusing them of falsely labelling him as a "serial rapist" and "sexual abuser."
His legal team argued the documentary was filled with "lies and deception" and emphasised his personal growth since the 2009 incident with Rihanna.
Brown also denied Jane Doe's rape allegations, asserting she had a history of "partner violence," citing a restraining order her boyfriend allegedly filed against her in 2021.
Attorneys Levi G. McCathern, II and Evan Selik, representing singer Chris Brown, have filed a $500 million lawsuit against Ample, LLC and Warner Brothers, as well as individuals involved in the production of Chris Brown: A History of Violence. The lawsuit, filed on 21st January 2025 in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, accuses the defendants of releasing a documentary based on false and misleading narratives that damage Mr. Brown’s reputation.
The documentary, which aired on 27th October 2024, includes discredited allegations of sexual assault and evidence tampering against Mr. Brown. These allegations had previously been dismissed in court and were shown to be without merit. The lawsuit claims that the production companies deliberately promoted these false claims for profit, disregarding the truth in favour of sensationalism.
One key figure in the documentary, Daisia Chantel Frank, known as "Jane Doe," made false accusations against Mr. Brown, which were conclusively debunked in court. Ms. Frank’s history of domestic violence and evidence that her relationship with Mr. Brown was consensual further undermines her credibility.
Mr. Brown’s legal team stresses that this lawsuit is about defending the truth and holding those responsible for spreading misinformation accountable. A portion of the $500 million sought will be donated to survivors of sexual abuse.
