An attack on a fellow music star didn't derail Chris Brown's career: A recap of his legal troubles

Singer Chris Brown has dominated the R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop charts since his debut in 2005 with the hit “Run It!”

He has also had as many hits with law enforcement.

Those included a high-profile beating of a fellow pop star leaving her bloodied and bruise and Brown in handcuffs. The R&B star has found himself in front of the mugshot camera nearly as often as he has found his singles on top of the music charts.

Brown’s history of crime begins on the night before the 2009 Grammys.

Back in 2009, Brown dated Rihanna, another hit singer at the time and current make-up mogul. The couple had a toxic relationship, filled with constant arguing and infidelity. Their relationship took a violent turn on Feb. 8, 2009.

The night before the Grammys, in which both stars were slated to attend and perform, the couple got into a violent dispute. While driving in a rented Lamborghini, the couple began arguing over Brown allegedly cheating on Rihanna, according to the Grazia Magazine.

After admitting to infidelity, Brown began being hit by Rihanna, as she kicked him and threw insults at him. Brown allegedly punched the “Umbrella” singer with a closed fit in retaliation and anger, causing her bottom lip to bust open. The fight grew worse as Rihanna spit at Brown, which he lost, and he continued to assault her.

The fight ended after Brown pulled the car over, and Rihanna ran out of the vehicle, yelling that Brown was trying to kill her. Police swiftly arrested Brown on an assault charge the morning of the Grammys — which both stars would miss due to the incident.

A photo of a badly beaten Rihanna soon hit the internet, which ruined Brown’s reputation and nearly took out his career. It took years for him to recover.

In June 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of assault with the intent of doing great bodily harm for the February incident with Rihanna.

Two months later, in August, a judge sentenced the singer to five years of probation and 180 days of community service, plus a year of anti-domestic violence program for the assault. At this time, Rihanna also obtained a restraining order against Brown.

According to E! Online, by December 2010, Brown completed his anti-domestic violence program.

In February 2011, Rihanna requested that the restraining order against Brown be dropped down to level one so the two could communicate with each other.

After an interview with host Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America”, Brown had a meltdown in his dressing room in June 2012. The meltdown allegedly occurred due to Robins asking the singer about the incident with Rihanna. Brown later apologized for his actions that day.

Despite the domestic violence between the couple, they continued to date off and on until 2013. Then, the couple shocked fans when they collaborated on two songs together, “Birthday Cake (Remix)” and “Nobody’s Business,” and they would be seen together in public.

According to E! Online, Brown’s probation ended in March 2015 after he completed his community service without violation.

His music career again took off and Brown has had a series of hits, including the recent “Go Crazy.”

But he hasn’t been free of legal trouble.

From 2013 to 2018, Brown found himself in more legal trouble for various offenses. Brown’s charges include driving without a license plate, assault with a deadly weapon and several restraining orders.

His legal troubles are back in the news in August 2021 as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department looks to serve him legal papers regarding an alleged dog attack as a woman was cleaning the home, according to Radar Online.