Chad Johnson is free from jail Monday after apologizing to the judge he angered by slapping his attorney on the backside.
Johnson had been in court last week to accept the terms of a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail for violating his parole. But, after he playfully slapped his attorney on the behind , drawing laughter from those in the courtroom, Johnson faced the ire of an angry judge.
Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh scolded Chad Johnson for his display, sending the former Pro Bowler to jail for 30 days.
It was not the first courtroom misstep for Johnson. McHugh had warned him twice not to put his arm around the shoulders of a female prosecutor, also pointing out that he caused a three-inch gash on ex-wife Evelyn Lozada’s forehead when he headbutted her last year.
McHugh said: “‘I don’t know that you’re taking this whole thing seriously. I just saw you slap your attorney on the backside. Is there something funny about this? ‘The whole courtroom was laughing. I’m not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn’t a joke.”
Johnson issued an apology from jail, saying he was sorry to have such a flippant attitude in the domestic violence case against Lozada.
“I just wanted to apologize for disrespecting the court last time,” Johnson said. “I apologize. I did have time to reflect on the mistakes I made in this courtroom.”
Chad Johnson was released from jail following his apology.
Over the weekend Chad got a visit from friend and former teammate Terrell Owens, who said it was “humbling” to see Johnson locked up.
“I really didn’t know what to expect but to see the homie locked up is a very humbling experience, to talk to him via vid conference let me know that’s not where anyone wants to be,” Owens tweeted. “I know he’s only in the county jail but to someone that has never been locked up…Jail is Jail!”
Though Chad Johnson was released from jail, he will still be required to perform 25 hours of community service and attend domestic violence counseling sessions. His probation has also been extended an extra three months, through mid-October.